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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 27th, 2017–Mar 28th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Forecast new snow and wind will increase the avalanche danger. Snow fall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday; watch for developing hazard during the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight: 5-8 cm of new snow above 1000 metres combined with moderate southwest winds. Tuesday: 10-15 cm of new snow during the day combined with strong southwest winds and freezing levels around 1300 metres. Wednesday: Another 10-15 cm of new snow combined with light to moderate southwest winds and daytime freezing levels around 1300 metres. Thursday: A brief ridge of high pressure should bring clear skies and strong solar radiation.

Avalanche Summary

Explosives control work on cornices produced some large chunks up to size 2.0 on Monday. Ski cutting also resulted in avalanches size 1.0 on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast stormy conditions are expected to add to the recent storm slabs. At about 2000 metres and below, the storm snow lies above a crust (March 22) that formed last week. Beneath this older storm snow, an older rain crust that was buried around March 15 is now about 80-100 cm deep. The mid-February crust/facet layer can still be found at the upper end of treeline and into the alpine. This interface is now generally 125-165 cm deep but may present at the surface or up to 250 cm deep in heavily wind affected terrain. Although there is growing confidence in this layer becoming dormant, continued caution is warranted while our recently formed storm slabs remain triggerable. A big enough storm slab or cornice release in the right location may have the potential to coax this layer or the shallower March 15 crust layer into reacting.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New storm slabs are expected to develop overnight and during the day on Tuesday. Precipitation amounts are uncertain; watch for developing hazard during the day.
Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Cornices

The forecast storm is expected to continue to develop new cornice growth. While cornices are a hazard in themselves, the danger increases when they have the potential to act as a trigger to storm slabs sitting beneath them.
Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2