Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 28th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Start and finish your day early. Warm temperature and sunshine may destabilize the snowpack throughout the day, especially on steep slopes that are baking in the sun.
The best and safest riding will be in north-facing terrain that is free from cornices overhead.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom. 15-30km/h west winds.
TUESDAY: Mainly clear. Freezing level rising to 2000-2500 m in the afternoon. 15-40 km/h southwest winds.Â
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, 5 cm of accumulation. Freezing level around 1500 m. 20-40 km/h west winds.Â
THURSDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, trace accumulation. Freezing level around 1500 m. 20-50 km/h west winds.Â
Avalanche Summary
The last persistent slab avalanche in the region was on March 26th. This size 2 avalanche was remote-triggered, meaning the skier was a distance away from where the avalanche failed. It was in a wind-loaded area at treeline on a southeast aspect. This layer is expected to become dormant after being tested by significant warming followed by cooling temperatures.Â
Looking forward, riders may be able to trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine and treeline and wet loose avalanches in steep sun-exposed terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of recent snowfall tapers rapidly with elevation. Westerly wind may have formed pockets of windslab in the alpine and exposed treeline. A refrozen crust can be found below the new snow on all aspects as high as 2300 m. This crust is expected to break down throughout the day on solar aspects and at low elevations with sun and warm temperatures. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack is moist.
Several other crust layers exist in the upper snowpack, that have shown no recent reactivity. The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Loose Wet
Sun and warm temperatures will weaken the snow surface on sun-exposed slopes, creating wet avalanches out of steep terrain. Watch for wet and heavy surface snow.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found in steep, lee terrain features in the alpine and exposed treeline. These wind slabs will be most reactive where they overlie a slick crust.
Warm temperatures may cause cornices to become weak. Cornice failures are dangerous on their own, but also have the potential to trigger larger avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 29th, 2022 4:00PM
