Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2015 9:54AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Watch for wind slabs immediately below ridge crest.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Trace amount of snow. Freezing level rising to around 1300m. Winds light S/SW at all elevations.Wednesday: 2 to 10cm of new snow. Light S winds at treeline, Strong to extreme SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level starting at valley bottom, rising to 1200m in the afternoon.Thursday: Scattered flurries. Strong SW winds at all elevations. Freezing level holding at 1700m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1 loose wet avalanches were reported on Saturday. They failed in steep rocky terrain in response to warming and solar radiation. On Sunday cornice failures to size 2 were reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light accumulations from Friday may now exist as a soft wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The new snow overlies older wind slabs, crusts and wind-scoured surfaces. Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Small wind slabs may exist in the alpine. Watch for triggering in gullies and in the lee of ridge crests in upper elevation terrain.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2015 2:00PM