Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2015 9:35AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Unusual persistent slabs continue to produce very large human triggered avalanches. See the latest forecaster blog for a more in depth look at this situation: http://bit.ly/1HHQrK2

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Warm but dry weather is expected to continue for Friday with freezing levels as high as 2600 m, before more organized precipitation arrives in the afternoon. Expect up to 5 cm cm of fresh snow by Saturday morning falling under moderate to strong southwesterly winds with freezing levels back down to 1700 m. Continued light snow flurries and moderate winds are expected Saturday morning before a stronger system brings another 2-5 cm overnight and 5-10 cm throughout the day on Sunday. Freezing levels hovering around 1700 m and moderate to strong southwesterly winds expected during the height of the storm on Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past week, there have been a number of avalanches to size 2.5 occurring on the mid-March persistent weak layer. Some avalanches have occurred naturally and many have been remote triggered from up to 100m away.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and light rain have promoted settlement within the most recent recent storm snow, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface. A touchy crust/facet interface known as the mid-March persistent weak layer is down 40 to 120 cm. This persistent weak layer continues to produce sudden test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

High variability and severe consequences makes the mid-March persistent weakness very untrustworthy. Riders continue to remote trigger very large avalanches, even when riding in conservative terrain.

Avoid steep high consequence features, convexities and areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent slopes.>Stick to simple terrain and be aware of what is above you at all times. Cornice fall will become more likely with warming temperatures.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2015 2:00PM