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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 22nd, 2016–Mar 23rd, 2016
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
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: Kootenay Boundary.

Give cornices a wide berth.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A frontal system is expected to bring around 10-15 cm snow on Wednesday night, with moderate to strong SW winds and the freezing level around 1400 m.  Snow showers linger on Thursday before a ridge brings clearing skies on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

A few small storm slabs were triggered by explosives and a skier yesterday.

Snowpack Summary

Surface snow layers are becoming moist and weak in the heat of the day, but generally settling and bonding with warm temperatures and sunshine. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. Some of these are breaking down on sunny aspects. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. It is most likely to be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.

Avalanche Problems

Cornices

Large cornices are threatening many slopes.
Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Storm Slabs

A new storm slab may develop, especially on features in the lee of the wind.
Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

While becoming unlikely, a persistent slab could still fail with a large trigger like a cornice fall, or from a thin snowpack area.
Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>Avoid thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 3 - 6