Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 13th, 2014–Mar 14th, 2014

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

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

It is spring-time, so if temperatures rise higher than forecasted today, expect solar aspects to have a higher danger rating later in the day.

Weather Forecast

Clearing skies this morning will bring cooler temperatures and see the freezing levels drop to valley bottom. A mix of sun and cloud is expected for the rest of today, along with freezing levels rising to 1200m and light to moderate SW winds. Unsettled weather is forecasted this weekend, with several storm pulses expected.

Snowpack Summary

A 5-10cm dusting overnight sits on a rain crust below 1700m and generally wind-affected surfaces above tree-line. Travel has become easier with the settling of last week's storm snow. The March 2 crust is down 1m, while the Feb 10 interface is down 1.5-2m. Below this, the mid to lower snowpack is well settled.

Avalanche Summary

In the highway corridor, several size 1.5 to 3 moist avalanches were observed from solar aspects yesterday, all from tree-line elevations or below. A report of a healthy size 2 slab was observed from the steeper terrain on the east side of Glacier Crest.

Confidence

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

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The surface slabs are settling out and bonding to the older interface, but if the temperatures rise more than forecasted, expect touchy conditions on south and west aspects.

Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.Make your travel plans to take advantage of overnight freezing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Mar 2 and Feb 10 layers are buried 1m and 1.5-2m respectively. Test results are still exhibiting sudden planar results in the hard range, meaning a deep slab could propagate widely.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 3 - 4

Cornices

Large cornices still linger along ridge-crests. These beasts have the potential to trigger deeper layers, so give them a healthy dose of respect and steer clear of them.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3