Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 2nd, 2016 8:26AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
ccampbell,
Avalanche Canada
Touchy and growing storm slabs will keep avalanche danger elevated this week. Riding should be great, but a conservative approach is recommended. Stick to simple terrain.
Summary
Confidence
High
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Periods of snow with 5-10cm of accumulation expected overnight Wednesday and throughout the day Thursday. Freezing levels reaching 1700m with strong southwesterly ridgetop winds. FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud in the morning with light precipitation starting late in the day. Freezing levels reaching 1800m with light to moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds. SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries bringing another 5-10cm. Freezing levels steady around 1800m and strong southwesterly ridgetop winds.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Tuesday include more evidence of the widespread natural storm and wind slab avalanche cycle early Monday, with avalanches up to Size 2.5. Continued isolated natural avalanche activity likely occurred on Tuesday primarily in alpine areas in response to loading from fresh snow and wind. These fresh storm and wind slabs should increase in size and sensitivity and become much more widespread as they build throughout the week.
Snowpack Summary
10-20cm of fresh snow adds to the now 30-60cm thick storm slabs, which are bonding poorly to on a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A couple sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects. The surface hoar and/or crust layer which was buried February 10 is now down around a metre and is still producing isolated hard sudden results in snowpack tests. Large cornices will be getting weak with warmer temperatures.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Fresh storm slabs are primed for human triggering. Particularly touchy wind slabs are lurking below ridge crests, behind terrain features and in cross loaded gullies.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2016 2:00PM
