Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 20th, 2020–Mar 21st, 2020

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Warm sunny weather continues. Use increased caution when slopes and cornices warm up throughout the day.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

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.

Avalanche 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: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5