Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 19th, 2016 8:57AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Cornices.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
On Sunday expect 5-15cm of new snow to fall throughout the day (with higher amounts forecast for the north of the region). Generally overcast skies and light flurries are forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Ridgetop winds will be moderate and southerly on Sunday, becoming light on Monday and Tuesday. Freezing levels should hover around 1850m on Sunday morning and then drop gradually to about 1600m throughout the forecast period.
Avalanche Summary
Many areas reported widespread wind affected snow in alpine areas. One reporter from the northern part of the region reported skier triggered soft slabs up to 30 cm deep (size 1-1.5). Cornices continue to pop off with regularity. Some are triggering slabs below and others are not. Some minor loose wet sluffing was also observed on sun-exposed slopes.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Light snowfall and wind on Sunday will form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations while rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 20th, 2016 2:00PM