Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2019 4:20PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

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Warm and sunny weather may produce loose snow avalanches, especially on southerly aspects. The danger is rated for the warmest part of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear / light northwest wind / alpine low temperature near 0 / freezing 1500 m FRIDAY - Mainly sunny / light west wind / alpine high temperature near +2 / freezing level 1700 mSATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light southwest winds / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1500 mSUNDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / light southeast winds / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 1700 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 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 still be found on shady slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of weak facets that was buried around March 10th. This is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches, although there have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer.Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large avalanches initiating on these facets are unlikely, but feasible, as we go through another period of warming. They are most likely to occur on steep, smooth, rocky, terrain in areas where the snowpack depth is shallow.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
When the sun comes out and temperatures rise during the day, loose wet avalanches will be likely on sun-affected slopes.
Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2019 2:00PM

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