Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2015 9:30AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

New snow, strong winds, and rapid warming are a classic recipe for avalanche activity. Conservative terrain choices are essential for safe backcountry riding.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Forecast models disagree on the amount of precipitation the region will get, but precipitation is coming.  Upper elevations may receive 15  to 20 cm of snow along with strong South winds. Freezing level will hover around 1500m for Thursday but  Friday will see the freezing level rise to almost 2000m, then drop on Saturday on its way to valley bottom on Sunday.  For more information see:http://www.avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

No reports of avalanche activity from yesterday, but that is probably because of poor weather and lack of observations. 

Snowpack Summary

Incoming precipitation will add load to the already reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Snow and winds from earlier in the week have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storm snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found and could possibly be triggered with a big enough load such as a cornice failure. Cornices are now getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects are also a concern, especially in the afternoon.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
New storm snow may be redistributed into wind slabs by winds associated with this incoming storm.  Definitely something to watch out for !
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2015 2:00PM