Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2016 8:56AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Give cornices a respectful berth.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

An unsettled westerly flow is expected to bring around 5-10 cm snow on Thursday, with moderate to strong winds and the freezing level around 1500 m. Snow showers linger on Friday before a ridge brings mixed sun and cloud on Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported yesterday. Over the last week we have received many reports of cornice failure, including one that triggered what appears to be a size 3 persistent slab in the north Elk Valley.

Snowpack Summary

Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Deep and hard wind slabs can also be found in some areas. Below around 2200 m, a couple of crust layers are buried in the upper snowpack. Snow surfaces became moist up to around treeline with recent warm weather and have formed surface crusts in many areas. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas or with large loads such as cornice fall.

Problems

Cornices

Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes. A cornice fall could trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Use caution on wind loaded terrain in the alpine and at treeline. There may be reactive wind slabs waiting for the unsuspecting rider.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2016 2:00PM