Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 11th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Garth Lemke,
Keep in mind the wind slabs that are out there are sitting on top of a weak layer of facets despite the lack of natural activity. If temperatures dramatically increase anytime over the next few days, expect the hazard to rise.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday will be sun and clouds, no new snow, -5C, light to moderate West winds, and 1700m freezing level. Saturday is expected to be similar, gusting 40km/hr winds, and 2100m freezing level. Sunday and Monday are similar except for higher freezing levels 2200m or more. Models are not agreeing on Sunday and Monday's freezing levels.
Snowpack Summary
High solar input have created crusts and moist snow on solar aspects at TL and below. Expect this condition to increase in elevation with rising freezing levels. SW winds have redistributed the snow pack at TL and ALP. The mid pack is supportive in deep areas but weak in shallow areas where it fails on buried facet layers in test results.
Avalanche Summary
No patrol occurred on Thursday and nothing was reported.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Calmer winds have decreased the reactivity of wind slabs plus their is little snow left to redistribute; however, this condition originally formed on weak Feb 20th facets. It is prudent to keep this on your radar despite the moderate rating.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
As the mercury slowly rises above 0 and the sun comes out, solar slopes will loose strength. Caution with your timing when traveling on/under these features. Best time to travel is early while its frozen solid.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Caution in thin facetted snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 12th, 2021 4:00PM
