Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 4th, 2018–Mar 5th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Lizard-Flathead.

Recent new snow is settled into a storm slab. This new snow combined with wind has promoted wind slab development as well as cornice growth. As the clouds part in the coming days remember that the sun packs a punch this time of year.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1200m TUESDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -6 / Freezing level 1100m WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1200m

Avalanche Summary

Through the weekend avalanche activity included several natural and explosives controlled storm and wind slab avalanches size 1.5-2.5. These occurred on all aspects from tree line into the alpine. On Thursday and Friday, explosives control in the Fernie area produced loose dry and storm slab releases reaching from size 1.5 to 2.5 with some slabs reaching up to 80 cm in depth.

Snowpack Summary

50-60 cm of new low density snow accumulated in the region over Friday night. This brings snowfall totals from the past week to about 100 cm. This storm snow overlies various old surfaces including old hard wind slabs, crusts, facets and more isolated surface hoar. Also in the upper to mid snowpack, a surface hoar layer buried mid-February is now 80 to 100 cm below the surface on sheltered northerly aspects. Deeper in the snowpack, the widespread mid-December weak layer sits about 200 cm deep. This consists of a crust, facets or surface hoar. Near the base of the snowpack, a crust/facet layer could be awoken from a thin-spot trigger point, or with a very large load like a cornice fall.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent new snow and warm temperatures have promoted storm slab development. Additionally with all the new snow available for transport, expect to see wind slabs on the down-wind side of terrain features.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which are large and fragile.Watch for signs of instability such as recent avalanches or shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2