Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 11th, 2015–Mar 12th, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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: Kootenay Boundary.

Warming can reduce the strength of the snowpack. Try not to be complacent just because conditions have been solid for a while.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Light precipitation is expected to end on Thursday and it should be mainly dry and warm until Saturday. The freezing level climbs to 3000 m on Friday. Saturday's storm brings moderate precipitation with the freezing level near 2200m. Winds are moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Apart from small loose wet sluffs triggered by skiers on steep sunny slopes, no new avalanches have been reported in the past several days.

Snowpack Summary

If any snow arrives on Thursday, it may be shifted by SW winds at high elevations. Lower down the mountain, drizzle may weaken the snow surface layers, adding warmth and weight to the snowpack. Previous snow surfaces are variable and include moist snow, crusts and a little dry snow on high north aspects. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. This crust has been supportive all the way to ridge crest and "capping" the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor. As temperatures become very warm over the next couple of days, be alert to whether this supportive capping layer is breaking down. Consequences go up if it does.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs may be triggered by the weight of a person near ridge tops.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Rain and warmth can weaken the snow, causing loose wet avalanches.

Avoid steep slopes when the snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2