Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2015 8:30AM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

The snow surface should freeze overnight tonight at all elevations, resulting in lower danger early in the day on Wednesday.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny breaks. The freezing level is near 1800-2000 m and winds are moderate gusting to strong from the west. Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level rockets up to around 2800 m and winds are moderate from the SW. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Remains warm with freezing levels near 3000 m. Winds could increase to strong from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

There are no new reports of avalanches from the region for the past couple days. However, widespread natural slab avalanche to size 1.5 above 1800 m were reported from the Fernie area on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10-20 cm of new snow has likely fallen at elevations above 1500-1700 m. Periods of strong W-SW winds may have redistributed the new snow in exposed high elevation terrain, creating fresh wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Lower elevation slopes are probably moist or wet and the snowpack is rapidly dwindling. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and generally has a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Sunshine and daytime warming could weaken fresh wind slabs that have formed in lee and cross-loaded terrain.

Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Loose wet slides are likely on steep sun-exposed slopes during the day.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

A crust/facet layer down 90 to 150cm, although unlikely, still has the potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger like cornice failure or a surface avalanche in motion.

Use caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2015 2:00PM