Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2015 8:50AM

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

South Coast.

Watch for thin wind slabs in the alpine that could be problematic, especially in technical terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The ridge continues to dominate the weather pattern Wednesday. On Thursday a storm impacts the North Coast, but its not expected to have much effect on the South Coast. Wednesday: Clear skies. Light NW winds at treeline, Moderate NW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 1500m, returning to 900m overnight. No significant precipitation. Thursday: Broken cloud cover. Light W/NW winds at treeline, Moderate NW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 1700m, remaining at 1700m Thursday night. No significant precipitation. Friday: Broken cloud cover. Light W winds at treeline, moderate W winds at ridgetop. Freezing level holding at 1800m. No significant precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported Saturday/Sunday/Monday.

Snowpack Summary

North and west winds (mainly from the north) have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

North and West winds have created stiff thin wind slabs. These slabs have been fairly stubborn, but you may be able to trigger one in steep and or convex terrain. Keep an eye out for large cornices which may fail without obvious rhyme or reason.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2015 2:00PM