Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 4th, 2018–Mar 5th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Recent snowfall has created a widespread storm slab. When the sun comes out expect the slab to become more touchy and natural avalanche activity to pick up!

Weather Forecast

Today will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. A trace amount of precip is forecast today. Ridgetop wind will be southwesterly 15-30kph with freezing level up to 600m. No significant precip is forecast until later in the week but convective flurries are possible which could significantly boost snowfall amounts.

Snowpack Summary

20 cms of new snow in the last 48 hrs. This buries firm wind slab on all aspects above tree line and on solar aspects it buries a crust. The late Feb crust/facet combo is down 30-50cm on solar aspects and has potential to be a good bed surface. The January PWL's are buried 150-200cm

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday's snowfall produced a natural avalanche cycle to size 3. Field teams observed a touchy storm stab in leeward features treeline and above. A party in the Loop Brook drainage noted an avalanche from Mt Ross that ran into the creek at the valley bottom covering previous ski tracks.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snowfall has created a touchy storm slab. Expect this snow to be reactive at ridgetop or in steep unsupported terrain. Sunny breaks are forecast today, even short bursts of the strong spring sun could make the new storm snow more reactive.

Avoid convexities and unsupported features.Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A suncrust and facet layer is buried down 40-70 cms on solar aspects. This is a bad combo of a weak layer and strong bed surface. This layer has the potential to be human triggered with wide propagation. Dig down and have a look for it.

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5