Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2016 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

Avalanche Canada rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive to human-triggering on Wednesday. Large cornices will become weak with daytime warming and sun so avoid cornice exposed slopes in the afternoon.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Mostly cloudy conditions are for Wednesday with the possibility of light flurries in the morning.  Freezing levels are expected to be around valley bottom overnight and 1500m in the afternoon.  Alpine winds are forecast to be light to moderate from the southwest.  A weak storm front if expected to reach the region Wednesday night and 5-10mm of precipitation can be expected by Thursday afternoon.  Alpine winds are expected to be strong from the southwest and freezing levels are forecast to climb to over 2000m during the storm. Clearing is expected for Thursday night and a mix of sun and cloud is expected for Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Monday.  On Sunday, storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported from higher elevations.  At elevations below around 2000m where it rained, numerous loose wet avalanches were reported as well as one glide avalanche which released on a large planer rock feature below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Rainfall on Sunday was reported to around 2100m elevation. The snow surface was reported to be soaked below treeline and dense moist storm snow was reported at treeline. With overnight cooling, a melt-freeze crust is expected at some mid-mountain elevations. In the alpine, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs in the alpine may remain reactive to human-triggers, especially on steep, unsupported features.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices are expected to be fragile and may fail naturally with daytime warming and sun exposure. Not only are they a hazard in themselves, but also a heavy trigger for slabs on the slope below.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2016 2:00PM