Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 7th, 2016 5:25PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada brian webster, Avalanche Canada

Ice 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

An icon showing 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

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing 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

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2016 4:00PM