Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2016 8:04AM

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

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

A poor overnight freeze has bumped up the danger level at low elevations.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Unsettled convective cells will move through the area today, bringing flurries and light to moderate SW ridge-top winds. Freezing levels will rise to 1700m, then drop with the arrival of a brief, but intense cold front tonight. Rogers Pass may see 15-20cm overnight, with moderate SW winds and freezing levels hovering around 1300m.

Snowpack Summary

A weak freeze overnight, with many locations below tree-line not even reaching the freezing mark. Expect sloppy conditions low down. Last week's storm snow is well settled from warm temps and sits over crusts on solar aspects. The Feb 27 interface is down 70+cm and is more sensitive on steep solar aspects. Cornices are large and drooping up high.

Avalanche Summary

There was little in the way of avalanche activity yesterday, even with the warm temp's and intense sunshine. The exceptions were several natural size 2's that ran on south aspects at low elevations late in the day. This is something to consider today, given that the overnight temp's barely hit the freezing mark and for a very short time.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Buried crusts have created persistent instabilities on solar aspects. Recent storm snow sits on top of crusts 30-50cm down. The crust of most concern is the Feb 27 interface down 70-120cm, which is still producing sudden planar results.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

There was little in the way of an overnight freeze below tree-line. Expect the snowpack to feel moist and soft on solar aspects today. Tree bombs could be enough of a trigger to gather up enough mass to bury a person in a terrain traps.

Avoid exposure to sun exposed slopes.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

The late March cornices are large. Keep an eye on them and avoid exposing your party to these looming overhead hazards.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2016 8:00AM