Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2022 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Mikey, Avalanche Canada

Pay close attention to the temperature and solar radiation as they will quickly change the avalanche hazard. Best to start early and finish early.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Thursday was warm enough to make the snow moist on all aspects which caused several wet loose avalanches. Thursday night is suppose to go down to -10c and Friday is expected to be sunny with cloudy periods and a high of -1c in the alpine. Winds will be around 30km/h from the SW. Pay close attention to the temperature and solar radiation as the snow will likely change quickly and you will likely see wet loose avalanches on solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

More loose wet avalanches were observed on Thursday. Expect more on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

About 10cm fell Wednesday night and is settling fast. This new snow sits on a temperature crust on all aspects up to 2500m. Dry snow was encountered only on true North aspects above 2500m. The forecasters are still concerned for the persistent slab problem on steep solar aspects which are two buried crusts down about 40cm and 60cm. The load of new wet loose avalanches might be enough to wake up these buried crusts and cause larger avalanches. If the temperature is higher than forecast or the sky is clearer on Friday, the hazard could go to Considerable.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

When the sun comes out, a loose wet cycle is likely to begin on solar aspects. Pay close attention to the quality of the freeze overnight as this will play a large role in the timing of this problem. 

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Loose wet slides may step down to the March crust triggering a slab on this interface. 

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2022 3:00PM

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