Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Mar 2, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Fresh storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas, and at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–2.5
    A weak layer of surface hoar is buried around 40 to 80 cm, and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Up to 20 cm of new snow and wind will mean that storm slabs are widespread, and will likely be most reactive in wind loaded areas.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT - Clear periods / east winds 10-15 km/h / alpine low temperature near -25SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / east winds 10 km/h / alpine high temperature near -25SUNDAY - Sunny / east winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -20MONDAY - Sunny / northeast winds, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -15

Avalanche Summary

There were reports of numerous size 1-1.5 natural and explosives triggered avalanches on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow with moderate winds will be forming fresh storm slabs. Older wind slabs will be buried under the new snow and may be difficult to detect.A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals) that was buried in mid January is down approximately 40-80 cm. This layer is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m, but it has been found up to 2200 m in some areas. This weak layer may exist in combination with a crust on south facing slopes. Recent snowpack tests and avalanche reports suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak, sugary facets.

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