Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 14th, 2018–Mar 15th, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Columbia.

Cool temperatures will keep crusts frozen. There are still some lingering wind slabs on high northerly aspects where the snow remains dry and cold.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5cm / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -6 / Freezing level 1400m FRIDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and scattered flurries / Light south wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1500m SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy / Light northwest wind / Alpine temperature -6 / Freezing level 1500m

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 3 was reported over the past several days. These were primarily wet loose avalanches on sunny aspects; however, on Saturday some did step down to the mid-February layer (with 50-70 cm crowns) on southerly aspects. Large cornice falls were also reported on the weekend that were mostly entraining the surface snow only.

Snowpack Summary

Recent sun and warm temperatures have resulted in moist or wet snow on sunny aspects that is then freezing to form a crust overnight. North and east facing slopes still have cold dry snow that sits on a well-settled snowpack. Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs formed during last week's storm and may remain reactive - their distribution is variable.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Watch for wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2