Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 22nd, 2016 9:33AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

Give cornices a wide berth.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

An unsettled westerly flow is expected to bring around 5-10 cm snow on Wednesday, with moderate to strong winds and the freezing level around 1500 m. Snow showers linger on Thursday before a ridge brings clearing skies on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported yesterday. Over the last week we have received many reports of cornice failure.

Snowpack Summary

Large cornices overhang some slopes. Deep and hard wind slabs can also be found in alpine areas. Below around 2300 m, a couple of crust layers are buried in the upper snowpack. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these crusts. Snow surfaces have become moist up to around treeline with recent warm weather. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Cornices

Large fragile cornices threaten many slopes.

Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Use caution on wind loaded terrain in the alpine and at treeline. There may still be reactive wind slabs waiting for the unsuspecting rider.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2016 2:00PM