Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2012 10:18AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices, Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of sun and cloud each day for the forecast period with light and variable winds. Freezing levels should sit at about 800m on Sunday, climbing to around 1100m for Monday and Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

A few wet snow avalanches to size 1 were observed on steep solar aspects. No other avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm of recent snow covers a variety of old surfaces. Moderate southerly winds have shifted this snow into wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain; however, recent reports indicate that the slab is settling well in some areas with no significant shears. Sun exposed slopes are now into a melt freeze cycle with southerly slopes becoming moist under sunny skies. The mid February persistent weak layer, comprised of spotty surface hoar, facets and crusts, is buried 80-120 cm below the surface. No recent activity has been reported on this interface, although I feel that triggering may be possible in steep, isolated terrain. Below this the snowpack is well settled and strong. Cornices in the area are reported to be very large and primed for natural collapse or triggering by a person.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices exist in alpine terrain. A failure could be destructive by itself, and could also trigger an avalanche on the slope below. Cornices are most likely to destabilize under strong solar radiation.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 6

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are likely in steep south-facing terrain if the sun is shining.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs seem to have gained significant strength; however, triggering may be possible in isolated terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2012 9:00AM