Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2014 9:04AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: Expect 5-10 mm of precipitation overnight that should be 10-15 cm of snow at alpine elevations. Strong South-Southwest winds are forecast that should drop to light in the morning when the snow fall ends. Freezing level should drop down to about 600 metres overnight and rise to about 1300 metres during the day. There is a chance of broken skies and sunny periods in the afternoon.Thursday: Overcast with light Easterly winds, some light flurries, and freezing levels rising to 1400 metres.Friday: Snow starting in the morning as Southwest winds build to moderate values. Freezing levels rising to 1600 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches. Persistent weak layers may be well preserved on shaded alpine slopes, and may be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slabs in motion.

Snowpack Summary

There is 5-10 cm of new snow sitting on 20-30 cm of dry light snow on North aspects above 1400 metres elevation. Melt-freeze crust on solar aspects up to 2000 metres. Some steep west facing slopes have a thin breakable crust to mountain tops. The mid-pack is well consolidated with bridging crusts on all but shaded North aspects. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these have become less reactive recently. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early February layer is down 1.5m or more. The PWL's may be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Forecast new snow and wind are expected to result in new storm slabs developing. Watch for pockets of wind transported snow at higher elevations.
Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Persistent weak layers continue to be the sliding layer for large natural avalanches. Heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion may step down to the deeply buried weak layers.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2014 2:00PM