Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2017 8:00AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet, Storm Slabs and Cornices.

ian gale, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Winter up high and spring down low leaves us with a highly variable snowpack and a series of avalanche problems. Expect the sun to pack a punch today and avoid South & West aspects!

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud today as a ridge of high pressure sits over our area. Today freezing level will rise to 1700m and winds will be from the SW at 15kph. Expect the sun to pack a punch today when it comes out!! The weather will get stormy again tonight as a cold front passes over the southern province bringing another 15cm of snow & gusty winds.

Snowpack Summary

March has been a snowy month with snowfall in the alpine almost every day. In the last week we received 60cm at treeline. Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack at treeline & below. Daily warming has been turning the surface snow moist in the afternoons at lower elevations. Cornices keep growing in the alpine and should not be trusted!

Avalanche Summary

In the highway corridor there was some natural avalanche activity from steep north faces, because of recent new snow and a spike in winds. Earlier in the week a sz 2.0 glide crack avalanche was observed. There has been minimal reports from skiers/riders in the back country as fewer people are out there and we transition into spring.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

Warm temps overnight and new snow will insulate the moist upper snowpack at treeline and below. When the sun comes out today, expect avalanche activity to increase on solar asps with potential for wet slabs or glide avalanches.

If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Storm Slabs

If triggered storm slabs have the potential to step down to deeper layers buried in March or February. The warmth from solar heating today will make this slab more reactive.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are very large right now and can fail unpredictably - if this happens persistent weak layers deep in the snowpack can be triggered, resulting in very large avalanches.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2017 8:00AM