Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2016 9:10AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect due to high temperatures.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Hot weather continues through the weekend, with the freezing level around 2800 m.Â A brief disturbance on Saturday may bring some cloud, increasing westerly winds, and light drizzle. Localised convective showers are possible.

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle of size 1-2 loose wet avalanches is underway, and is likely to continue as long as temperatures remain high. An isolated size 2 wind slab was also observed on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow and wind on Monday formed storm slabs which were especially deep in areas east side of the divide. Reports suggest warming has promoted settlement and strengthening within the new snow, but the current warming trend has also promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on all but the highest north facing terrain. About 25-60 cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may become sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and are becoming increasingly weak with warming and solar radiation.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches may be surprisingly large in areas east of the divide where recent storm totals were the greatest.

Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes and will become increasingly touchy with solar radiation. A cornice fall could be the large trigger required to awaken destructive buried weak layers.

Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2016 2:00PM