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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 8th, 2015–Mar 9th, 2015
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Purcells.

Variable wind direction continues to develop pockets of new windslab in the alpine.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud overnight with freezing levels dropping down to valley bottoms. Mix of sun and cloud with moderate – strong southwest winds and freezing levels rising up to 2100 metres on Monday. Mix of sun and cloud on Tuesday with light winds and freezing levels around 2100 metres. Cloudy with snow on Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

A Windslab has been reported size 2.0 that was about 20 cm deep and ran 300 metres. Explosives control released a couple of 50 cm deep pockets in the alpine size 2.5

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 5-10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or, more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Changing wind directions continue to develop new windslabs in the alpine.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3