Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 27th, 2015 8:35AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeAvalanche hazard will likely be on the rise as forecast storm snow begins to stack up.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
5-15 cm of snow is expected for Saturday, another 10-20 cm by Sunday morning, 5-15 cm throughout the day on Sunday and 5-20 cm overnight into the day Monday, with the heaviest snow amounts expected for the southern coastal parts of the region. Freezing levels are expected to remain around 1200 m for the forecast period, and strong southwesterly alpine winds are expected to accompany the most intense snowfall periods.
Avalanche Summary
Several natural storm slab avalanches up to Size 3 were reported on Thursday. Many of them occurred on Wednesday. Storm and wind slabs were also highly reactive to human triggers on Thursday with several skier-controlled avalanches up to Size 1.5 running on a buried crust.
Snowpack Summary
30-50 cm of recent heavy storm snow and thicker wind slabs are poorly bonded to crusts and other slippery previous snow surfaces. A hard crust with weak facets, buried early March, may be lurking over a metre down. This condition seems more specific to the northern parts of the region. Although reports suggest this persistent weakness has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Any fresh snow will likely be poorly bonded, with particularly deep and weak slabs on the leeward side of ridge crests and terrain features in exposed treeline and alpine terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.>The new snow will a bit of time to settle and stabilize.>Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 28th, 2015 2:00PM