Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 13th, 2016 4:04PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Tim Haggarty,
Avalanche Canada
An intense but short-lived storm last night and an expected dose of snow tonight, will keep windslabs fresh at Treeline and above. Triggering a windslab could have high consequences with the deep persistent slab problem still lingering.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Another 5 cm is expected to arrive Sunday night with light to moderate SW winds. Following this freezing levels are expected to drop a bit to 1300m while the light to moderate westerly flow bring trace amounts over the next couple of days .
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind effect treeline and above with 20 to 35 cm of new snow sitting on a well settled mid and lower pack. This new snow overlies a temperature crust below 1800m on polar aspects and a sun crust into the alpine on solar aspects. No significant shears found in the mid and lower pack, however thin snowpack areas are still suspect.
Avalanche Summary
A few significant avalanches occurred today: a sz 3 on Mt Buller in the K-country at 2300m on a NW aspect, a sz 2.5 was reported at 2400m on a North aspect on Mt Lougheed, both of these were reported as natural windslabs triggering deep facets. A skier triggered sz 2.5 occurred on a West slope near the Sunshine Village ski area on deep facets.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Last night's 10 cm with intense winds has contributed to the extensive wind effect that was seen Thursday'. Consider the potential for buried windslabs with the incoming snow. Use conservative terrain selection where wind effect is found.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The persistent weak layers from January and February are bonding well, and have a low likelihood of triggering in most of this forecast area. Overall the snowpack is quite strong, but continue to be wary of shallow snowpack areas with more facetting.
- Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 14th, 2016 4:00PM
