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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 15th, 2015–Mar 16th, 2015
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Sea To Sky.

Winds are redistributing the recent snowfall into slabs on lee slopes. Careful terrain selection and route finding are important for safe back country riding.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Precipitation should taper off late today ( Sunday) and give the Sea to Sky region a somewhat sunny Monday and Tuesday. Freezing levels should stay close to1500m, for the rest of the week. Little precipitation is expected until Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from yesterday tell of a few size 1 storm slabs, wind slab and loose-wet avalanches. Explosive testing has produced few results

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally strong and well settled with 10 cm of new snow overlying a variety of melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects in the alpine as well as lower elevations. Old wind slabs and surface facets may still still exist on high north facing slopes.  The recent storm with strong winds has scoured windward slopes down to the old crusty surfaces and developed wind slabs on lee slopes.  Solar aspects are moist during the day and forming crusts at night.  Cornices continue to grow and may become weak with daytime warming.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent storm snow accompanied by strong wind has scoured windward slopes and built wind slabs on lee features in the alpine and at tree line.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Cornices

Cornices continue to grow with strong winds and fresh precipitation
Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>Stay well back from cornices.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4