Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2020 1:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger will steadily rise as a series of storms begin to impact the region.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Strong west/northwest wind, freezing level at valley bottom, trace of snow possible.

THURSDAY: Overcast, strong west/northwest wind, freezing level rising to about 1500 m, 5 to 10 cm of snow possible during the day, another 5 to 10 cm possible Thursday night.

FRIDAY: Overcast, moderate to strong west/southwest wind, freezing level rising to about 1500 m, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible during the day, another 10 to 15 cm possible Friday night.

SATURDAY: Overcast, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing level rising to about 1600 m, 10 to 25 cm of snow possible during the day with another 10 to 25 cm possible Saturday Night.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the past couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of recent new snow sits on top of a variety of old surfaces including hard wind affected snow, sun crust on slopes facing the sun and a melt freeze crust at lower elevations.

At lower elevations, two surface hoar layers 50-60 cm and 75-90 cm below the surface may still be present in the northern part of the region. Warm temperatures for an extended period last week have likely had a stabilizing effect on these buried weak layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Fresh wind slabs may begin to form at ridge crest Thursday.

Watch for increasingly sensitive storm slabs at all elevations on Friday as new snow and wind come together.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2020 5:00PM