Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2017 4:15PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
aaron beardmore,
Avalanche Canada
Rain and warm temperatures continue to induce a large avalanche cycle. A cooling trend on Friday will be short lived, after which a second wave of weather will impact the forecast region.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Continued warm temps are expected tomorrow, followed by a cooling trend on Friday. The wind is supposed to stay elevated in the strong range from the West. A second wave of precip is expected, yet again, on Saturday, accompanied by temperatures near zero.
Snowpack Summary
Additional snowfall and very warm temperatures have tipped the snowpack and an avalanche cycle is still underway. A 50 cm dense slab has overloaded two prominent weaknesses in the snowpack; one down 40cm and the other in facets near the base of the snowpack. Expect rain soaked snow at low elevation and the avalanche cycle to continue.
Avalanche Summary
A major avalanche cycle is underway, avoid avalanche terrain.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
A 40-50cm cohesive windslab exists at higher elevations, and in specific wind effected areas near treeline. This slab reacts easily to tests and is producing avalanches.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Several buried weak layers in the middle of the snowpack are gaining strength over time as they become bridged, but they may be waking back up during this avalanche cycle. Avoid avalanche terrain now.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2017 4:00PM
