North Rockies - BC Avalanche Report

Date/Time issued: Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Valid until: Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM

Next Scheduled Update: Thursday, March 26, 2009

  				Thursday
Alpine 			4 - HIGH
Treeline 		3 - CONSIDERABLE
Below Treeline 	2 - MODERATE

Primary Concerns:

    * Deep Slab: The continual March snowfall may overload the multiple persistent weak layers, 
	  creating large destructive avalanches.

Travel Advisory:   Issued: Thu, Mar 19 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Mar 26

Since the last report there has been continual snowfall, winds and moderate temperatures. This 
has created a large load on the overall weak facetted snowpack from winter so far. Expect 
avalanches to occur either naturally on their own or be easy to trigger yourself. To avoid the 
worst of the hazard stay clear of southerly aspects, as the sun crust underneath is making these 
slopes prone to avalanching. On the north, west and east aspects be cautious of any terrain 
over 30 degrees, stick to small features, avoid large open bowls and gullies. Choosing forested 
terrain without large open features above your route may improve the odds of not getting caught 
in an avalanche. As well cornices are growing and temperatures are rising and the combination 
will cause the cornices to drop off and may trigger an avalanche, so avoiding slopes under 
corniced ridges is also advised.

Avalanche Activity:   Issued: Thu, Mar 19 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Mar 26

There are recent reports of many large avalanches running naturally to size 3. No reports of 
human triggered avalanches but I would expect the conditions will make human triggered avalanches 
fairly likely.

Snowpack:   Issued: Thu, Mar 19 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Mar 26

We now have 60-90cm of snow sitting on the multiple persistent weak layers of surface hoar, facets 
and sun crust. This has brought the snowpack to average depths but the current winds, warming and 
rapid loading may overload the previously thin, weak snowpack from earlier this season.

Weather:   Issued: Thu, Mar 19 Next Scheduled Update: Thu, Mar 26

Continued southwest flow will bring another 15-20cm to the region over the next few days. Freezing 
levels should hover near valley bottoms and winds are forecast to be moderate from southeast. The 
weekend should cool down and dry out as a weak ridge builds. This could give way to another front 
crossing the province on Monday from the Gulf of Alaska.

Issued by: Anna Brown