Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Mar 29 – 30, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Periods of strong solar radiation combined with high daytime freezing levels may increase the chance of deep persistent avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs continue to be a concern for human triggering. Watch for pockets of wind transported snow at higher elevations, and on slopes that are sheltered from the sun.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    A weak layer of facets and/or a crust that developed early in the winter lies near the bottom of the snowpack. Forecast strong solar radiation and high daytime freezing levels may combine to "wake-up" this deep persistent problem.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Overnight: Mostly cloudy with a chance of flurries and light northwest winds. Freezing down to valley bottoms by morning. Thursday: A weak ridge of high pressure should bring scattered cloud with periods of strong solar radiation, and daytime freezing levels up to 1200 metres. Friday: Cloudy with 3-5 cm of new snow combined with strong southwest winds and daytime freezing levels up to 1300 metres. Saturday: Another 3-5 cm of new snow and strong southwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light snow combined with moderate southwest winds has developed wind slabs in the alpine and in some exposed treeline locations. Periods of sun and high daytime freezing levels have developed crusts below treeline and on sun exposed terrain at all elevations. The snow may be moist or wet below treeline during the warmest part of the day. The deep persistent weak layer of facets and/or a crust that were buried early in the winter are still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack.

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