Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 23rd, 2014 9:06AM
The alpine rating is Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeThe hazard may go higher than forecast on solar aspects in the afternoon. Pay attention to the danger presented by large mature cornices.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Synopsis: An arctic high pressure ridge in the interior of BC will cool things down before the next Pacific frontal wave arrives on Tuesday.Tonight: Cloudy, freezing level at valley bottom, winds light, from the south west.Monday: Cloudy with flurries, freezing level around 1300 metres, winds light to moderate from the south east.Tuesday: Cloudy with snow, 10 to 20 cm in the forecast, freezing level at 1400 metres, winds light to moderate from the south.Wednesday: Cloudy, with snow, 10 to 15cm in the forecast. Freezing level around 1300 metres, winds from the south, light to moderate.
Avalanche Summary
No reports of avalanches from yesterday Caution should be exercised on solar aspects as the spring sun begins to heat things up. Cornices are becoming large and mature and deserve serious respect.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 60cm of snow has fallen in parts of the forecast region in the past 7 days. This storm snow combined with winds continues to produce wind slabs at tree line and above. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, (below 1200m) a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. Below the storm snow, the snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these have become less reactive recently. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early February layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days. Lowered freezing levels are good for overnight recovery of the snowpack below 1700 metres. Daytime warming could produce loose, wet avalanches below 1700m especially on steep solar aspects.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Strong winds associated with the recent storms have formed wind slabs, look out for wind loaded pockets. Expect sluffing in steep terrain, and on steep solar aspects. Cornices are becoming large and mature, give them a wide berth.
Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Two deep persistent weak layers continue to be a concern within the snowpack. These have been pretty much dormant lately, but high temperatures or a large load (like a cornice failure) might trigger one of these deeper layers.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 24th, 2014 2:00PM