Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2012 8:17AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

andrew jones, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Watch out for wind slabs on Northern aspects and moist snow at low elevations.

Summary

Problems

Wind Slabs

South winds at 35-60km/h persisted for a 4 hour period this morning. Wind slabs may have formed on lee aspects where storm snow has been transported.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

15-25cm of storm snow is forming a soft slab which is sitting on a sun crust on solar aspects and a melt freeze crust and moist snow below treeline.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The February weak layer is buried down 1.5 to 2 m. This layer may be triggered by a heavy load such as a cornice failure or an avalanche in the upper snowpack. Consequences are high if this layer does fail.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2012 8:00AM