Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 11th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
Conrad Janzen,
Avalanche Canada
With a bit more snow, warming temperatures and recent strong winds, Saturday is a day to be more cautious and let things improve. Ice climbers should continue to watch for the effects of daytime heating on steep lower elevation slopes.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Warmer temps on Saturday with light snow flurries, rain showers at lower elevations, freezing levels up to 1700m and gusty SW winds. Then a gradual cooling trend with occasional light snow for Sunday and Monday.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slabs in open areas above treeline. 20 to 35 cm of new snow sits on a well settled mid and lower pack. . This new snow overlies a temperature crust below 1800m on polar aspects and a sun crust into the alpine on solar aspects. No significant shears found in the mid and lower pack, however thin snowpack areas are still suspect.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose wet slides up to size 2 out of steep terrain below treeline in Little Yoho with limited activity at higher elevations. Numerous natural avalanches observed on the Icefields Parkway and 93 South up to size 3, all aspects during the last 24 hrs . Most of this was triggered by wind loading with failures on crusts and the deep facets.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong SW winds have formed wind slabs in open areas above treeline and on the leeward sides of ridges. Cornices have also been growing quickly. Watch for changes in the surface of the snow that indicate wind slabs, and look for clues like cracking.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures at lower elevations and the potential for some light flurries or rain showers may create conditions for loose wet avalanches in steep gullied terrain below treeline. Ice climbers in particular should be aware of this problem.
- Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The persistent weak layers from January and February are bonding well, and have a low likelihood of triggering in most of the forecast area. Overall the snowpack is quite strong, but continue to be wary of shallow snow-pack areas with more facetting.
- Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 12th, 2016 4:00PM
