Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 20th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet.
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Avalanche Canada
Warm sunny weather continues. Use increased caution when slopes and cornices warm up throughout the day.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Another day of clear weather before a low pressure system brings cooling and clouds on Sunday.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light north wind, freezing level drops to 1400 m, treeline temperatures drop to +2 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light north wind, freezing level climbing to 2000 m in the afternoon, treeline temperatures reach +8 C.
SUNDAY: Increasing clouds throughout the day, moderate southwest wind, freezing level drops to 1300 m, treeline temperatures around +2 C.
MONDAY: Periods of snow with accumulations of 5-10 cm, moderate southwest wind, freezing level drops to 800 m, treeline temperatures around -1 C.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported the past few days, although warm temperatures have likely resulted in natural wet loose avalanches in steep south-facing terrain. A few size 1-2 wind slab avalanches were human triggered over the weekend, but they should be less reactive after several days of warm weather.
Snowpack Summary
Sustained above freezing temperatures for the past few days has resulted in moist snow on the surface. Crusts may form overnight, and shaded alpine slopes likely have hard wind slabs on the surface.
The snowpack is well-settled. Snowpack depths rapidly with elevation, with 300-400 cm at treeline and no snow below 700 m.
Terrain and Travel
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Problems
Loose Wet
Watch for wet loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes and remember cornices could become weak with daytime heating.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 21st, 2020 4:00PM
