March 19, 2004

South Columbia Region

Weather: Our partners at the MSC predict light winds, warm temperatures,
and sunshine this weekend. Freezing levels are forecast for 1500 m
Saturday and 2000 m Sunday. With the sun heating solar aspects, freezing
levels will be higher on solar aspects, maybe as high as 2400 m. Monday
should be cool and cloudy.

Snowpack: Heavy snow and strong winds created wind slabs on north through
east facing slopes down to well below treeline. In most areas the recent
snow sits on a firm crust. This crust may have weak layers associated with
it, either above or below, to create a dangerous combination of layers.
Deeper weaknesses remain in the snowpack to 100 cm. The snow is moist
below 1900 m, turning weak, wet, and mushy closer to the valley floor.

Avalanche Activity: Reports show natural and controlled slab avalanches in
alpine and treeline areas occurred primarily on N through E facing slopes;
many ran on a prominent crust as deep as 70 cm. How the snow bonds to this
crust is important to future avalanching. Below treeline, upside down
powder (warm dense snow over cold soft snow) caused numerous small
avalanches on all aspects. One large avalanche stepped down to ground,
sending the winter^Òs 150 cm snowpack to the valley floor.

Forecast of Avalanche Danger Up To Monday Evening (March 22, 2004)

     Alpine ^Ö Considerable
     Treeline ^Ö Considerable
     Below Treeline ^Ö Low if frozen, Considerable with sun and warmth.

Travel Advisory: The potential for deeper releases exists, particularly on
north and east lee slopes. Wind effected areas where pillows of new snow
are deeper and stiffer should be avoided. Sunny warm weather this weekend
will weaken the snow on southerly aspects. If mushy snow is encountered,
it^Òs time to move to shady areas. Remain leery of terrain traps such as
gullies, depressions at the bottom of a slope, and creek beds.

North Columbia Region

Weather: A cold front swept through the province Thursday with strong
winds from the South and Southwest delivering 20-30cm of new snow to the
region. The widespread convective showers Friday will precede warm and
sunny weather on Saturday and Sunday. Freezing levels could reach 1500 m
Saturday and 2000 m Sunday. A weak frontal system will bring light
precipitations and cooler temperatures on Monday.

Snowpack: A dense layer of wind transported snow is prevalent with 50-70cm
of storm snow sitting on a crust. Observers report variable strength in
these layers ranging from ^Óeasy to trigger^Ô to ^Óbonding well to the
crust^Ô. Well preserved surface hoar crystals still lurk below the crust,
producing hard results on stability tests. Moist and wet snow exists below
1700 m.

Avalanche Activity: On Thursday, natural activity and explosive control
produced avalanches to size 3.5, while human-triggered activity remained
in the size 1.5 range. Larger human-triggered avalanches could occur.
  
Forecast of Avalanche Danger Up To Monday Evening (March 22, 2004)

     Alpine ^ÖConsiderable	 
     Treeline ^ÖConsiderable 
     Below Treeline ^Ö^Ö Low if frozen, Considerable with sun and warmth. 

Travel Advisory: Areas of windslab should be avoided, unless you^Òre on
low angle slopes (30 degrees or less). Wind affected snow could react to
additional loads such as snowmobilers or skiers. Warm, sunny weather is
expected this weekend and solar radiation on southerly aspects could
weaken the snow. Be on the look-out for soft and mushy snow as it is more
likely to slide, and remain leery of terrain traps such as gullies,
depressions at the bottom of a slope, and creek beds.

Issued by: is, sh