Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2015 8:00AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
danyelle magnan,
Parks Canada
Warm temperatures, high freezing levels and solar radiation will make pockets of windslab more reactive and may weaken cornices.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Today expect increasing cloud, with above freezing temps into the alpine and moderate to strong SW winds. Flurries should start overnight. Wed and Thurs will be cloudy with flurries. Freezing levels are expected to be ~2000m with accumulations of 4cm a day above that elevation. Moderate to strong SW winds will transport the new snow.
Snowpack Summary
Below treeline the surface crust is softening with above freezing temps. Variable conditions higher up from wind deposited powder, to stiff wind slab, to bare crust. Reactive wind slab may exist at ridge crests. Recently buried surface hoar with variable distribution is down ~15cm. This sits just above the Feb 14 crust which is ~5-10cm thick.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches have been observed recently. In the region, windslabs continue to be triggered by skiers. Windslabs appear to be most reactive on northerly aspects in the alpine.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of reactive windslab exist on all aspects due to variable wind directions. These pockets have been reactive to skiers at or near ridge crests, and are increasingly reactive with warm temperatures or when receiving solar radiation.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2015 8:00AM
