Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2020 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices.
ghelgeson,
Avalanche Canada
Cornices are the only significant problem Monday, Give these things a wide berth, especially if you're travelling on ridge lines.
Summary
Confidence
High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast
Weather Forecast
Warmer funky weather is with us for the forecast period.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Freezing level near valley bottom, light to moderate southwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.
MONDAY: Overcast, freezing level beginning near valley bottom rising to 1600 m during the day and then staying there until Wednesday evening, light southwest wind at lower elevations, strong west wind at mountain top, no precipitation expected.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with potential for a bit of sun mid-day, freezing level holding around 1900 m, moderate to strong west/southwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with potential for some clearing in the late afternoon, freezing level holding around 1900 m through the day, moderate west wind, 4 to 6 mm of precipitation falling as rain at lower elevations, snow in the alpine.
Avalanche Summary
Temperatures warmed up in a big way Friday which really neutralized the wind slab problem for the short term, but some folks skiing McD's Saturday did find small wind slab "cookies" at high elevations, you can see more details in this MIN report. Cornices are still an issue though, there was a report of a size 2 natural cornice failure on Saturday, it did NOT initiate a slab when it impacted the slope below. Another chunk of cornice fall was reported on Sunday too.
Snowpack Summary
Friday was quite warm which allowed for further settlement of the upper snowpack, it also allowed for the formation of a crust. This new crust can be found on the surface up to 2000 m on solar aspects and up to 1700 m on all other aspects.Â
Wind slabs have grown old and tired, even at ridge crest. Wind slabs are unlikely to be a problem, except at the highest elevation and more extreme terrain near ridge crest.Â
A thick rain crust that has facets associated with it sits 30-60 cm below the surface and can be found up to ridge top. We have only seen one avalanche on this layer since February 17th.
The mid-pack is well settled and strong, but the base of the snowpack contains basal facets that are most prominent in shallow rocky start zones.
Terrain and Travel
- Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices have grown large and loom over many ridge lines. These have the potential to fail naturally with the natural rise and fall of temperatures throughout the day, they could also fail if we get too close to them. Give these things a wide berth. Wind slabs are not expected to be much of a problem right now, but be aware of the potential for wind slabs in the highest elevation terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2020 5:00PM
