Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2012 11:21AM

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

Avalanche Canada mpeter, Avalanche Canada

If the snowfall exceeds the forecast amounts, HIGH danger may be possible. Stay locally aware.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Expect precip to ramp up overnight and into Thursday morning, with as much as 20cm of new snow and strong southerly winds. The freezing level should fall overnight then reach a maximum of 1300m. Friday / Saturday: Precipitation should taper dramatically and the sun will poke out again, with winds turning from southerly to westerly. Freezing levels will fall as the flow turns, bringing more seasonal temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches up to size 2.0 triggered by daytime heating have been reported at lower elevations, as well as isolated cornice releases in the high alpine to size 2.0 that did not release deeper layers. Small windslab events have also occurred on lee and cross loaded terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

Above 1700m, up to 20cm of new snow now overlies the March 26 interface. This has been accompanied by consistently moderate and at times gusty southwesterly winds forming windslabs in lee locations. Cornices are huge, and will continue to grow with this weather pattern. The March 26 interface is a crust on all aspects except true north treeline and alpine, where small surface hoar (5mm) is present in sheltered places. At lower elevations, the surface snow has had less recovery and the upper snowpack is predominantly moist. Below the newest storm interface, last week's storm snow is well settled and bonded. The deep, persistent early February layers linger in the snowpack and remain a concern with heavy triggers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
New windslabs are forming with the new snow and increased wind. Some interesting thin slabs that formed from previous downflow winds are now lightly buried.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices loom at ridgecrest and will grow under the current conditions. They may act as a large trigger to deeper weaknesses.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 6

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
The moist new snow will sluff in steep terrain at lower elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2012 9:00AM

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