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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 15th, 2016–Mar 16th, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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

Regions: Glacier.

A touchy storm slab exists in the lower alpine and at treeline. Approach convex rolls & steep terrain in this elevation band very conservatively.

Weather Forecast

Alpine temps will remain cool with freezing level of 1300m.  Light precipitation(1mm) is forecasted today with potential for isolated convective flurries.  Ridge top winds will be westerly 15-35 kph today and the relatively cool temps are expected to persist to the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

SW winds have created soft windslab on Alpine lee features & crossloads. A 20cm storm slab in lower Alpine(below ~2500m) & at treeline is very reactive on crust. Surface becoming moist in the afternoon below 1450m & refreezing into breakable crust. Feb 27th layer is down 70cm & is reactive on solar slopes. Cornices are large, fragile and failing

Avalanche Summary

A 25cm storm slab has been catching skiers & boarders off guard. There has been 4 reports of avalanches on this layer in the Connaught and Hermit areas. The largest was 20cm deep, 70m wide and running 50m to a bench. The storm slab is bonded to a crust and most reactive in unsupported terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

A touchy storm slab sits on a crust in the lower alpine(below ~2500m) down to treeline. This slab is catching riders off guard and is easily triggered on convex rolls.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Choose well supported terrain without convexities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are widespread in the upper alpine and continue to be reactive to human triggering given the right terrain feature. Ripe cornices have been failing over the past several days. Avoid exposure to this overhead hazard.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridges.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Feb 27 interface is down 80cm+ and continues to give sudden planar results in field tests. The layer consists of crusts on solar aspects and decomposing surface hoar in isolated locations.
Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3