Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 3rd, 2012–Apr 4th, 2012

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

Regions: South Columbia.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Light to locally moderate amounts of precipitation. Moderate northerly winds with a freezing level of 1000-1200m. THURSDAY & FRIDAY: Broken skies with light flurries and light winds. Freezing levels remain steady at 1000-1200m.

Avalanche Summary

A recent report from the northeast part of the region is of a remotely triggered size 3 avalanche from 50m away on a south southeast aspect. The crown was 30-100cm, 200m wide and ran for 250m in length. Very touchy conditions were reported from the far south of the region in the Valkyr Range at the end of the weekend; A natural avalanche with a 2 km wide crown was reported on an east facing aspect which started in the storm snow and then stepped down to the March 27th crust/facet combo.

Snowpack Summary

The most recent storm produced 40 - 100 cm of total snowfall, with the far south of the region receiving the greater accumulations. 80-100cm of storm snow from the past 7 days is sitting on a weak layer of Facets sitting on a crust. This layer seems to be most reactive on sun exposed slopes. Slopes below 1000 m continue to experience little or no overnight refreeze (recovery). The deeper early february surface hoar layers seem to have been unreactive in the short term but still remain a concern.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent new snow combined with moderate winds created new and further buried old winslabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Cornices

Large cornices keep getting bigger and more sensitive with continued wind, snow and warm temperatures. Cornices impacting slopes below could be considered enough of a load to trigger some of the deeper buried weaknesses.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 3 - 7

Loose Wet

Short periods of sun can ben enough to trigger avalanches on sun exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 4