Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2015 8:02AM

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

Parks Canada danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Warm temps with rain at lower elevations, and new snow with moderate winds in the alpine have caused the avalanche danger to rise.

Summary

Weather Forecast

It is presently raining lightly up to at least 1900m. Freezing levels today are expected to remain at 2000m with light precip and moderate to strong SW winds. Overnight freezing levels should lower to 1800m, with rain changing to flurries at higher elevations. Friday we may see some sunny breaks with freezing levels rising to 2000m.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps and strong solar yesterday weakened the surface snow below 2400m on solar aspects and 1900m on shaded slopes. Warm temps prevented an overnight freeze. Variable conditions on shaded aspects above treeline from stiff wind slab to bare crust. Reactive wind slabs exist at ridge crests. Recent snowpack tests fail below a crust down 15-25cm.

Avalanche Summary

Warm temps and strong solar triggered a few loose, moist natural avalanches to size 2 yesterday. Skiers were also able to ski cut a size 2.5 avalanche from a steep S asp at 2350m. The avalanche was loose and ran several hundred meters, entraining the loose moist surface snow.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Pockets of reactive windslab exist on all aspects due to variable wind directions. These pockets have been reactive to skiers at or near ridge crests and are increasingly reactive with warm temperatures.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Warm temps and strong sun yesterday weakened the surface snow. Temps stayed above 0 to at least treeline and it is now raining lightly. The weak, moist surface snow may be easily triggered on steep slopes, gaining mass and traveling long distances.
Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2015 8:00AM