Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2021 4:14PM

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

Barb Sharp,

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Freezing levels are expected to rise on Thursday. Be aware of overhead hazards, specifically steep, rocky solar terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with flurries and moderate SW winds on Thursday and Friday. Forecasts for freezing levels vary, but could be up to 2000m on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

The most recent storm snow is being redistributed by moderate winds, forming wind slabs in the ALP and TL. Warm daytime temps and overnight freezing will result in moist surface snow and crusts BTL. The HS is highly variable throughout the region with a strong supportive midpack in deeper areas and a weak unsupportive midpack in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed from today. Wind slabs and loose dry avalanches that resulted from Sunday's storm are evident, but this natural activity occurred during the storm and on Monday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs can be found in all features near ridge crests, and cross-loaded gullies. Reverse loading has occurred from uncharacteristic North winds, and wind loading is now continuing from SW moderate winds.

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

When in the Whistlers/Portal and Maligne Regions identify and assess the bond at this mid-pack layer. This interface shows strength in field tests, but there is concern for wide, spatial variability over large and/or connected features.

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2021 4:00PM

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