Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2017 8:01AM

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

ian gale, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Human triggered avalanches are still likely today. The new snow will require more time to bond to underlying surfaces and large avalanches are still possible.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Today a cold upper trough moves through southern bc bringing isolated flurries with sunny breaks to our area. Winds will be 20-40 kph from the southwest with freezing levels remaining below 700m. The weather will remain unsettled throughout the week with potential for small amounts of snowfall every day.

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow totals 50-60cm from the last few days. Strong/extreme southerly winds built up touchy windslabs on all aspects in the alpine. These widespread slabs have been failing within the storm layers, as well as digging down to fail on deeper persistent sliding layers (crusts or surface hoar).

Avalanche Summary

Widespread avalanche activity up to sz 3.5 in the previous 36 hrs in the highway corridor as well as in the backcountry. Numerous fracture lines were observed from the valley-bottom that showed wide propagation. In a recent close call Skiers remote triggered a sz 2.5 slab avalanche from 200m away on Teddy Bear Trees partially burying several skiers

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Storm Slabs

Widespread storm slabs were observed to fail at all elevations yesterday. Treat all slopes that have not failed as suspect. Field teams yesterday noted low elevation slabs below treeline were still reactive aswell.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Strong South winds during the storm creating widespread wind slab in the alpine and fresh cornices at ridgetop. Exercise caution as you approach ridgetop or convex rolls and be aware of any other groups above you.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2017 8:00AM