Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 12th, 2013–Mar 13th, 2013

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

4: High

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

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.

Expect the avalanche hazard to rise with steady snowfall rates and increasing winds today. Loose avalanches may develop into storm slabs as the day progresses.

Weather Forecast

Southwesterly Pacific system forecast to bring moderate amounts of precipitation into Thursday with freezing levels to 1300m today rising to 1700m by Wednesday. Storm intensifying throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm lower density snow over a well settled mid pack above 1700m. Below 1700m the Mar 3 rain crust, 3-4cm thick, is down 10cm. The Feb 12 surface hoar is down 100 to 130cm.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday: 1 Natural size 2.0 slab avalanche west of Rogers Pass summit on a south aspect

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The surface hoar/crust layer from February is most likely to be triggered on solar aspects from shallow areas or from large triggers such as cornice falls resulting in large avalanches.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4