Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2019 4:06PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

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Northwest Inland.

The snowpack needs to adjust to it's new load. The best, and safest riding will be in wind protected areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Light west wind.. Treeline temperatures around -10 C. Dry.WEDNESDAY: Light to moderate south wind. Mostly cloudy. Dry. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C. THURSDAY: Moderate to strong southwest wind. 5 to maybe 10 cm new snow. Treeline temperatures around -10 C. Mix of sun and cloud.FRIDAY:  Light to moderate south wind. Trace to 10 cm new snow. Warming temperatures with treeline approaching zero. Cloudy.

Avalanche Summary

Few observers in the field Monday but reports are consistent with a natural avalanche cycle of storm slabs and wind slab up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

The region received 15 to 30 cm of storm snow accumulations on Monday. It covered previously scoured surfaces and old hard wind hammered snow, sun crusts on solar aspects, and sugary facets pretty much everywhere.February's cold weather weakened the upper- and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of the snowpack was faceting, or sits on facets (sugary snow),In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Where more than 20cm of snow fell, storm slabs are a concern, in part because the deeper sugary (faceted) snow below may prove to be the critical weak layer. Wind is starting to focus concerns toward wind slabs on lee slopes and crossloaded slopes.
Avoid terrain traps where small avalanches can have increased consequences.Seek out sheltered areas where the snow is unaffected by wind.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2019 2:00PM

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