Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2012 8:01AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Strong solar is possible again today. Loose avalanches are expected on slopes affected by the sun. A system will move in overnight bringing more snow and wind. This will result in rising avalanche danger at treeline and above tomorrow.

Summary

Problems

Loose Wet

A widespread solar cycle occurred yesterday. Avalanches started on SE aspects early in the morning and followed the sun through to W aspects. The average avalanche was a size 2, with the largest being size 3. Activity will continue today.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Winds tapered off yesterday and overnight. Strong winds on Saturday formed stiff slabs on exposed slopes above treeline, now buried by 20cm. With a meter of storm snow available, wind transport has loaded slopes and built huge cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Managing deep persistent layers is tricky. The probability of triggering is low, but the consequence of triggering is very high. They will likely take a large trigger- cornice fall or another avalanche, but they will result in very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2012 8:00AM