Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 28th, 2023–Mar 29th, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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

Regions: Little Yoho.

Strong solar input will continue Wednesday. Avoid exposure to sun-exposed slopes, especially late in the day. Now is the time to make the habit of starting the day early, and finishing early.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A skier trigger avalanche was reported on Mt Field Saturday. On a road patrol to Kootenay, deep slabs up to size 3 were observed on Mt Whymper and the Tumbling Peak area. These slides occurred within the last 24 hours. Solar radiation is a possible trigger.

Snowpack Summary

5-25 cm of storm snow sits over buried temperature crusts to 1500 m, sun crusts to ridgetop on solar aspects, and facets on shaded slopes. The midpack in this area has several crust and facet layers that have been unreactive recently. The base of the snowpack still consists of weaker facets. These facets are mostly a concern in thinner snowpack areas (<2 m).

Weather Summary

On Wednesday, light and variable wind, a mix of sun and cloud, and cool radiant air temps (valley high of 5 deg and alpine -10) are expected. Solar radiation could be intense, despite cool-ish radiant air temperatures.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Continue to pay attention to the weaker basal facet layer in areas where the snowpack is shallower (<2 m) such as moraines or wind scoured areas, or in places where a large trigger like a cornice fall could impact the slope. In deeper snowpack areas of this region the basal facets are less of a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

Strong solar inputs and upto 25cm of recent storm snow will likely produce loose wet avalanches on Southerly aspects. Pinwheeling and melting snow near rock are good indicators that the snowpack is being affected by solar radiation.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2