Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2013 10:39AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Monday: Light snow (5-10 cm). Moderate W to NW winds. Alpine temperature near -9.Tuesday: No snow. Light W winds. Alpine temperature near -6.Wednesday: Light snow. Light to moderate SW winds. Alpine temperature near -4.

Avalanche Summary

Observations were limited during Sunday's storm, but it's suspected that some natural activity occurred in response to rapid snow loading.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm snowfall on Sunday landed on a crust above about 2000 m, or moist snow at lower elevations. Ridge top winds have been from SW and NW directions, creating wind slabs on a variety of lee and cross-loaded slopes. Deeper in the snowpack, a series of crust layers makes up the upper snowpack. The mid-pack is reported to be generally well-settled. Cornices are large and fragile in some areas.

Problems

Loose Dry

New snow is likely to slide easily on a buried crust. It may have enough force to trip you up or carry you into a terrain trap.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

Be alert for wind slabs behind ridges and terrain breaks. Cornices may be touchy too.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2013 2:00PM