Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Generally safe avalanche conditions until more snow arrives on Sunday night.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A weak cold front crosses the region on Sunday evening.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with some isolated flurries, 30 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -7 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with some isolated flurries in the afternoon and trace accumulations of new snow, 30-45 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -6 C.

MONDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-15 cm of snow, 30-45 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

TUESDAY: Sunny, light north wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports have been limited to small wet loose avalanches on sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Unsettled weather has delivered about 10 cm of snow which may have formed some isolated wind slabs at higher elevations. This snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust, with the exception of high elevation northerly aspects where the snow sits above a small surface hoar layer.

Deeper in the snowpack, a persistent weak layer from late January is buried around 80 to 150 cm and is composed of a combination of surface hoar, facets, and crusts. We haven't received a report of avalanche activity on this layer since late February and the likelihood of triggering this layer is currently low.

As always, best to avoid shallow, rocky areas where a weak and faceted snowpack may be found.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2021 4:00PM