Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2013 10:31AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud / Moderate west winds / Freezing level at 600mTuesday: Increased cloud with moderate snowfall developing late in the day-continuing overnight / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mWednesday: Light snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 400m

Avalanche Summary

There were a few glide crack releases to size 2.5 below treeline in the north of the region. I would expect a round of wind slab activity in response to new snow and wind on Saturday night.

Snowpack Summary

Light to locally moderate amounts of new snow now overlie a variety of old surfaces which include: a crust at lower elevations and on solar aspects; old wind slabs in exposed areas, and fairly widespread large surface hoar. Moderate to locally extreme west/southwest winds will have, no doubt, shifted the new snow into soft and hard wind slabs in exposed terrain. I would expect the new snow to be quite reactive, especially where it overlies the surface hoar which was buried on March 9th. This interface is likely to be one to watch as the overlying slab develops.The mid snowpack layers are generally well settled and strong. Facets at the base of the snowpack may resurface as a concern now that spring warming is on the doorstep and full-depth releases are becoming more likely (primarily in the northern part of the region).

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
New snow and high winds have created new windslabs in exposed terrain. Windslabs may be particularly reactive in areas where they overlie a weak layer of buried surface hoar.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2013 2:00PM