Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2017 4:34PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

Although avalanche danger levels remain constant a short lived spike in the freezing level on Tuesday into Wednesday may make deeper buried weak layers more reactive in the alpine and tree line elevations. A cautious approach is recommended.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY: Periods of rain showers or snow flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 1 / Freezing level 2000m WEDNESDAY: Flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1400mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud and possible isolated flurries / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300m

Avalanche Summary

There is no recent avalanche activity to report. That being said through last weekend there were numerous natural and explosives controlled avalanches reported to size 3 that were triggered in the storm snow and stepped down to one of the February weak layers. On Friday, a large cornice fall missed a group of skiers on a north aspect in the Duffey area. Click here to See a MIN report for details. On Tuesday, wind slabs may remain reactive in human triggers at upper elevation. In northern parts of the region, the deeper February weak layers continue to present a low probability / high consequence scenario.

Snowpack Summary

Expect another 5-10cm of snow at upper elevations to add to the storm snow amounts from last weekend which totalled roughly 40 cm around Coquihalla and Allison Pass and 30 cm around Duffey Lakes. Freezing levels reached roughly 1400 m at that time, resulting in rain and/or wet snow at lower elevations. Thicker wind slabs and large cornices likely exist in alpine terrain. The storm snow sits above a widespread rain crust up to about 2100 m, but the snow will likely form a good bond to this crust. In the north of the region, the February weak layers are 80-120 cm deep and include a buried surface hoar layer that recently produced a few persistent slab avalanches and a crust/facet layer that appears to be gaining strength. In the southern parts of the region, the lower snowpack is generally stable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may remain reactive at higher elevations
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Heavy triggers such as a cornice fall or a small avalanche could potentially step down to weak layers buried about 1 m deep in the northern parts of the region.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger persistent slabs.If triggered, wind/storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in very large avalanches.Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2017 2:00PM

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