Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2018 4:11PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Watch for wind slabs in lee features at higher elevations. Use caution if wet snow is found at low elevations, especially if the sun comes out for any length of time.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Not much change in the weather pattern: A mix of sun and increasing cloud and little if any precipitation until Tuesday.SUNDAY: Partly cloudy / Light northerly winds / Alpine temperature 0 degrees C / Freezing level 1400 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate north westerly winds / Alpine temperature near 0 degrees C / Freezing level 1300 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries (5 cm possible) / Moderate south westerly winds / Alpine temperature near -1 C / Freezing level 700 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, wet loose avalanches to size 2 were reported at all elevations on sunny aspects. Some of these stepped down to basal facets in northern parts of the region. In the south of the region, cornice failures on north facing ridge lines in the alpine were also reported, to size 2, but not triggering slabs below.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snow surfaces are found in the region. In the east of the region, 5 to 10 cm of snow fell late last week onto a melt-freeze crust from previous warm temperatures and rain. In the west of the region, the melt-freeze crust is on the surface. Wet snow may still exist at low elevations on all aspects. High elevation north aspects may have lingering wind slabs in immediate lee features. This overlies a surface hoar and sugary facet layer in sheltered locations.A surface hoar and crust layer from January is buried around 80 to 140 cm in the southwest of the region. This layer still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like a cornice fall.Sugary facets exist at the bottom of the snowpack in steep, rocky, and shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow in the east of the region likely formed wind slabs in immediate lee features. Wind slabs from the past few days also linger in lee and cross-loaded features.

Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Mid-mountain freezing levels will mean that loose wet avalanches are more likely at lower elevations, especially if there is no re-freeze overnight. Use caution in terrain features where a small avalanche could have serious consequences.

Watch for signs that the snow is moistening such as pin-wheeling and point-releases below cliffs.Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where small avalanches can have high consequences.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2018 2:00PM