Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2017 4:09PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

Continually reassess conditions as you travel into avalanche terrain and be aware of the potential for deeper weaknesses in the snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy / Light to moderate east wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300mTUESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5cm / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1700mWEDNESDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1600m

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, explosive control and ski cutting produced numerous small storm slabs (size 1-1.5) and two size 2 storm slabs up to 50 cm deep. Most failed within the storm snow, but a few on the mid-March rain crust.On Monday, wind slabs may remain reactive in human triggers and the deeper mid-February weak layer continues to present a low likelihood of triggering yet would produce a large avalanche and thus a high consequence if triggered.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 30 cm of storm snow now sits above a widespread rain crust up to 2200 m. Thicker wind slabs and large cornices likely exist in alpine terrain. Reports suggest the storm snow is generally well bonded to the crust, and cooling temperatures should help stabilize the upper snowpack. The mid-February crust/facet layer is now 80-120 cm deep and may be up to 200 cm deep in wind loaded terrain. This layer was reactive prior to recent warming events, but now there's some uncertainty as to how long it will remain reactive.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent southerly winds have created reactive wind slabs in the lee of terrain features
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Heavy triggers such as a cornice fall or a small avalanche could potentially step down to a weak layer buried about 1 m deep.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2017 2:00PM