Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 30th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
grant statham,
Avalanche Canada
Conditions are poor. The mountains are in the midst of a major transition from winter snowpack to spring melt/freeze cycle, and for the next few days the snowpack is not expected to freeze and gain any strength. Avoid avalanche terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A very strong "blocking ridge" of high pressure is stationary over Western Canada, resulting in clear skies and very warm temperatures with some residual cloud and snow/rain expected near and east of the Continental Divide. Thursday will be 10-15 degrees with cloud cover in eastern areas. Cloudy skies will prevent the snow from freezing overnight.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is in transition between winter and spring, and is a poor example of both. Wet and isothermal snow below 1800m; moist snow above that with no freeze expected for Thursday morning. This warm slab of snow overlies buried crusts and will produce avalanches when the sun comes out, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wet snow avalanches up to size 2 observed in the Lake Louise area, and one size 2 slab on a north aspect at 2400m that failed on deep facets.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Wet snow avalanches will be running in most steep gully features, near cliff bands and on steep slopes.
- Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Several buried suncrusts exist in the upper snowpack, and slab avalanches can be expected on these crusts as the heat penetrates the snowpack over the next few days.
- Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large. Give them a wide berth on ridge crests, as they can pull back a long way when they fail and may trigger an avalanche below. If you need to travel under cornices, move quickly but think twice if there is significant heating.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 31st, 2016 4:00PM
