Summary
Confidence
Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Monday: a mix of sun and cloud - light southerly winds - freezing level at 1100m Tuesday: trace amounts of snowfall - light southeast winds - freezing level at 1100m Wednesday: light snowfall - light southeast winds - freezing level at 1100m
Avalanche Summary
A few radiation induced moist sluffs were observed on steep, rocky terrain. No other avalanches were reported from the region.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate southerly winds have shifted recent storm snow into wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain; however, reports indicate that the slab is settling well in some areas with no significant shears. Sun exposed slopes are now into a melt freeze cycle with southerly slopes becoming moist under sunny skies. The mid February persistent weak layer, comprised of spotty surface hoar, facets and crusts, is buried 80-120 cm below the surface. No recent activity has been reported on this interface, although I feel that triggering may be possible in steep, isolated terrain in some parts of the region. Below this the snowpack is well settled and strong. Cornices in the area are reported to be very large and primed for natural collapse or triggering by a person.
Problems
Cornices
Large cornices exist in alpine terrain. A failure could be destructive by itself, and could also trigger an avalanche on the slope below. Cornices are most likely to destabilize under strong solar radiation.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are likely in steep south-facing terrain if the sun is shining.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 26th, 2012 9:00AM
