Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2019 4:06PM

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

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

In areas with no overnight freeze, the sun will start to affect the snow early in the day. Warm and sunny weather is likely to produce loose snow avalanches, especially on southerly aspects. The danger is rated for the warmest part of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear / light northwest wind / alpine low temperature near +1 / freezing level 1500 mSATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near +3 / freezing level 1500 mSUNDAY - Sunny with cloudy periods / light north winds / alpine high temperature near +4 / freezing level 1600 mMONDAY - Mainly sunny / east winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near +4 / freezing level 1600 m

Avalanche Summary

When the sun comes out and temperatures rise during the day, loose wet avalanches will be likely on sun-affected slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and on all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.Dry snow may remain on shady slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of weak facets that were buried around March 10th. This is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches, although recent observations suggest it has become difficult to trigger an avalanche on this layer.Not much further below the March 10th interface is a second weak layer of facets buried on February 19th. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass.

Problems

Loose Wet

When the sun comes out and temperatures rise during the day, loose wet avalanches will be likely to occur on sun-affected slopes.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2019 2:00PM