Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2016 8:02AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Cornices.

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

The persistent slab on solar aspects woke up this morning. A natural avalanche cycle was observed on popular runs, like Avalanche Crest and NRC Gully.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A cold front will pass through the area today, bringing another 10-15cm of snow along with gusting moderate to strong SW winds. Freezing levels may rise to 1600m. Tonight, unsettled conditions continue, with gusting SW winds, 5cm of snow, and dropping freezing levels. Friday will be mainly cloudy with flurries.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs on S through W aspects are touchy, as they overlie surface hoar sitting on a thick sun crust, the Feb 27 layer. Snowpack test results yesterday at Lookout Col showed these slabs were ripe to trigger and propagate on a SW aspect, while a pit on the NE aspect had stubborn results.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle is currently underway, with numerous sz 2-3's from W-SW aspects on Avalanche Crest and NRC Gully. A large sz 3.5 from a SW aspect on Mt Smart was observed yesterday, propagating several hundred metres wide and scrubbing down to vegetation. Also, a cornice failure in Cheops North yesterday, with debris in the valley.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 27th interface is now down 60cm & is producing sudden planar results on a crust on S though W aspects. Test results on NE aspects showed stubborn results. Wind-loading and solar input will increase it's sensitivity.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

Previous southerly winds created windslab on lee slopes and cross-loaded features. While these slabs are gaining strength they still remain a concern for human triggering.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

The additional storm snow, accompanied by SW winds and mild temp's, has allowed cornices to grow and become fragile. Limit your exposure to these overhanging beasts along the ridge crests.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2016 8:00AM