Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 31st, 2018–Apr 1st, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Be cautious with new storm slabs in the avalanche start zones that could be triggered by solar radiation and cornices today and run to valley bottom.

Weather Forecast

Sunny today with the freeze line rising to 1000m elevation. Precipitation resumes on sunday with 9cm snow.

Snowpack Summary

20cm fell overnight bringing the weekly storm snow total to 80cm. Strong southerly winds redistributed the new snow with increased loading on lee features. Storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab on a buried crust down about 30 to 70cm on all aspects up to 2000m, and higher on solar aspects. Surface snow was moist below 1500m yesterday.

Avalanche Summary

A storm with strong winds and rapid snow loading produced a cycle of avalanches up to size 3.5 yesterday. Many smaller avalanches were observed running on top of a crust down 30-70cm (depending on local wind effect) and should be expected to continue to be a possibility today especially with strong sunshine in the forecast.

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

With the help of strong south winds, the storm snow is forming into a cohesive slab. The slab sits on a variety of surfaces including a widespread crust below tree line, a crust on solar aspects, and isolated pockets of surface hoar on polar aspects.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are hard to predict and have been sporadically failing in the park triggering avalanches to size 2.5. New snow, wind and temperature increases are a great recipe for cornice triggered avalanches.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5