Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 7th, 2016 5:25PM
The alpine rating is Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeIce climbers pay attention to overhead hazard and how quickly the day is warming up. Significant sluffing was observed on lower elevation ice climbs on Monday.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tuesday should be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate SW winds near ridge tops. The freezing levels will be at surface overnight and rising to 1700 m during the day. An approaching system may bring more significant snow on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Ten to 15 cm new snow liesĀ over-top of a well settled mid and lower pack. Suncrust below new snow on all aspects below 1800m and below 2300m on solar aspects. Isolated wind effect and small wind slabs near ridge-tops. No significant shears found in mid and lower pack.
Avalanche Summary
Report on Monday of a skier triggered avalanche on the Wapta near Mt. Collie. Size 2.5 on SE aspect at 2600m.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches can be anticipated on solar aspects in the afternoon.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
West winds have formed small wind slabs in predictable areas on the leeward sides of ridges. Pay close attention to how the snow surface feels, ski test on small rolls, and look for clues like cracking.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
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 the forecast area. Overall the snowpack is quite strong, but continue to be wary, especially in shallow snow-pack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 8th, 2016 4:00PM