Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2016 8:57AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Watch for changing conditions throughout the day on Sunday. The Avalanche Danger may be higher than posted by the afternoon.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

On Sunday expect 5-15cm of new snow to fall throughout the day (with higher amounts forecast for the north of the region). Generally overcast skies and light flurries are forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Ridgetop winds will be moderate and southerly on Sunday, becoming light on Monday and Tuesday. Freezing levels should hover around 1850m on Sunday morning and then drop gradually to about 1600m throughout the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

Many areas reported widespread wind affected snow in alpine areas. One reporter from the northern part of the region reported skier triggered soft slabs up to 30 cm deep (size 1-1.5). Cornices continue to pop off with regularity. Some are triggering slabs below and others are not. Some minor loose wet sluffing was also observed on sun-exposed slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Light snowfall and wind on Sunday will form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations while rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Snowfall and wind on Sunday will form new wind slabs at higher elevations. Watch for an increasing hazard throughout the day.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornices may remain sensitive to light triggers throughout the weekend despite the disappearance of the sun.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2016 2:00PM