Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2016 8:32AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

The kiss of the sun can spark avalanche activity. Plan your route to avoid exposure to steep, sun-baked slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A ridge brings mixed sun and cloud for the weekend. The freezing level is around 1700 m. A front is expected to pass through late on Sunday/ Monday morning, bringing light snow with the freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

Sporadic cornice falls have occurred over the last week, some triggering slabs on the slope below. Otherwise, no new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Recently formed wind slabs may be isolated to alpine wind-loaded terrain. In many places, the snow surface consists of a crust or moist snow and the snowpack is generally strong. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas or with large loads such as cornice fall.

Problems

Cornices

Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes. A cornice fall could trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

The kiss of the sun can spark loose wet avalanches on steep, sun-baked slopes.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be lurking behind ridges and ribs.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2016 2:00PM