Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 27th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
snow safety,
The avalanche hazard will increase through the day Sunday with incoming snow, strong winds and high freezing levels.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A low pressure system will build over the forecast region Sunday. This weather system will bring precipitation in the form of rain at lower elevations and snow above 2000m with up to 30cm of accumulation. This new snow will come with strong to extreme winds at mountain top. As this system dissipates Monday, temperatures will cool.
Snowpack Summary
15-40cm of snow has fallen within the last week. This snow sits over a sun crust on solar aspects, facets on North aspects and a temperature crust at lower elevations. Incoming snow ,wind and warm temps will add load to the current snowpack and widespread wind effect at upper elevations. Rain saturated snow is expected at lower elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Reports of several natural and skier triggered wind slabs in the alpine to size 1.5 on Saturday. We expect avalanche activity to increase at all elevations as a storm develops Sunday.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Widespread wind slab development in the alpine and exposed treeline areas is expected as strong to extreme winds and up to 30cm of new snow loads lee slopes on Sunday.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
- Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Expect 20-30cm of storm slab development in sheltered areas. We are uncertain of how this new snow will bond to the old surface.
- The storm slab may be more sensitive to human triggering on solar aspects where it sits on a crust
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain and warm temperature will break down the snowpack at lower elevations and increase the likelihood for loose wet avalanche activity. This problem could release to ground causing small but destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 28th, 2021 4:00PM
