Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 5th, 2018–Mar 6th, 2018

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

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.

A widespread storm slab can be found at higher elevations. Watch for this surface slab to become more reactive on steep solar aspects if exposed to prolonged March sunlight.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolatedÂ convective flurries today. Alpine temperature should reach -12C and be accompanied by westerly winds up to moderate. Similar weather will grace the landscape until midweek along with SW winds.

Snowpack Summary

~25 cm new snow in the last 72 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

Saturday's snowfall produced a natural avalanche cycle to size 3. On Saturday field teams observed a touchy storm slab 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

Storm snow has formed into 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.

Use caution in steeper terrain. Avoid unsupported features on the landscape.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

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.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5