Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 26th, 2018 4:21PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
mgrist,
Avalanche Canada
Danger ratings are based on the higher forecast amounts of snow fall and strong winds. The south of the region may see less snow; however, if you do see more than 30cm of new snow, the danger is HIGH and it's best to avoid all avalanche terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Snow and strong winds on Tuesday; clearing up Wednesday. TUESDAY: Snow (15-25cm). Moderate to strong south / west winds 30-70 Km/hr. Freezing level rising to 1600 metres with alpine high temperatures around -5. WEDNESDAY: Sunny with cloudy breaks and isolated convective flurries. Moderate northwest winds 30-45 Km/hr. Freezing level to 1400 metres with alpine high temperatures around -7.THURSDAY: Cloudy with flurries. Winds becoming light, west. Freezing level 1400 metres with alpine high temperatures of -5.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, backcountry skiers triggered a size 2 wind slab on a northeast aspect near 2050m. The slab's thickness varied from 40-60cm.On Sunday several natural and skier-triggered storm and wind slabs to size 2 were reported, on southeast through northeast aspects between 1900m and 2600m. Some ran on the March 18th layer, buried 25cm in that location.On Saturday we received reports of several wind slabs and storm slabs to size 2.5, mostly on northerly aspects above 2200m. Also on Saturday, a wet loose size 1.5 avalanche injured a skier in Glacier National Park on a west aspect near 2000m.
Snowpack Summary
New snow fall amounts into Monday range from 7-11 cm. Winds have been moderate from the east through southwest, creating fresh wind slabs on down wind (lee) slopes. Wind slabs from late last week (thanks to south / east winds) remained reactive throughout the weekend on immediate lee features and steep roll-overs in exposed locations. Isolated pockets of surface hoar (buried March 18th) have been reported between old storm snow layers on shaded aspects at higher elevations and may be found approximately 30-45 cm below the surface. New snow amounts taper with elevation and below 1900 m, reduced accumulations have buried a supportive crust on all aspects. Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, large cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Strong winds and new snow will make for touchy avalanche conditions. High north aspects are a particular concern due to extra loading on buried surface hoar that could lead to easier triggering and deeper releases.
Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 27th, 2018 2:00PM
