Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2012 8:04AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Expect moderate to heavy snowfall today, with mild temperatures and strong, gusty winds. Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day.

Summary

Problems

Storm Slabs

Up to 30cm overlies the "Leap Year" layer of small surface hoar and large snowflakes. Up to 30 cm are expected in the next 24hrs, under gradually warming temperatures. This will result in a cohesive storm slab that will be reactive and may step down.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Buried surface hoar layers down 1m continue to be reactive to skiers and in snowpack tests. New snow, amplified by windloading, may trigger these layers naturally. New load may cause cornices to fail triggering these deep layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow is being transported by strong S winds, producing windslabs and deep drifts from windloading. Windloading will significantly increase the new load overlying persistent weak layers. In these fatter areas, these layers may be easily triggered.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2012 8:00AM