Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 7th, 2012 9:50AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
Thursday: A ridge of high pressure will bring dry and bright conditions with generally light northwesterly winds and freezing levels rising to around 2000m. Friday: A Pacific frontal system will bring around 5-10 mm precipitation, which may fall as a mix of snow and rain. Freezing levels will be up to 2000m. Winds will be strong southwesterly. Saturday: Another frontal system moves through late in the day, bringing further light to moderate amounts of precipitation, cooler temperatures and strong winds.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported from the region on Wednesday. On Tuesday, avalanches from the west side of the region were smaller and seem to be limited to the storm snow. In the east, where more storm snow fell avalanches were much larger. For example near Wyndell a large natural slide buried a sled access road near valley bottom. Some remotely triggered and accidentally triggered slides reported by skiers that were 70 to 100 cm deep. Neighbouring areas reported a widespread, large avalanche cycle.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow amounts were approximately 40 cm in the east and 10 cm in the west, with the snow line at approximately 1600 m. Valentines Surface hoar layer is now buried beneath as much as 120 to 140 cm! Stability tests show the deep layers are hard to trigger but there's huge potential for propagation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 8th, 2012 8:00AM