Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2016 7:29AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: 5-8cm of new snow / Strong southwest ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1500mSunday: Light flurries with possible sunny breaks / Light to moderate ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1400mMonday: 8-12cm of snow / Moderate easterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1300mTuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light ridgetop winds / Freezing level at about 1200m
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday there was a widespread round of natural storm slab activity (mostly in the size 2 range with some results to size 2.5) in response to new snow and strong winds. In one case a size 3 persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered on an east-facing slope at 2230m. This points to the ongoing touchy persistent slab problem in some areas. On Friday, a size 2 wind slab avalanche was ski cut on a west aspect at 1900m. Solar-triggered cornice falls (to size 2.5) and loose wet avalanches (to size 2)Â were also noted. Some of the cornice collapses triggered wind slabs on the slope below. More wind slab activity is expected with wind and snow forecast for Saturday night.
Snowpack Summary
At treeline and in the alpine, light snow accumulations overlie wind slabs which formed during Thursday`s storm. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2016 3:00PM