Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2019 4:13PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Wind slabs at upper elevations is the primary concern. Shooting cracks and whumphing are good indicators of unstable snow and wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -7 and ridgetop winds light from the northeast. Freezing levels near 1000 m.SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -13 and ridgetop winds light to moderate from the northeast. SUNDAY: Sunny. Alpine temperatures near -13 and ridgetop winds moderate from the northeast.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous reactive human triggered wind slabs were reported up to size 1.5 mostly from east-southeast aspects near 1900 m. Also to note, overnight Tuesday through Wednesday there was a fairly widespread natural wind slab cycle up to size 1.5 on all aspects and elevations. Reactive wind slabs continue to be the name of the game.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northeast wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain and reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. Wind slabs have also been failing on a weak faceted layer down 20-50 cm but we're uncertain of how widespread this layer is. New surface hoar and needle crystals are forming in sheltered locations on most aspects and elevations. Low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong northeast winds have formed reactive wind slabs on southerly slopes and behind terrain features. Pockets of old buried wind slab can be found on all aspects. Loose dry sluffing may occur from steeper terrain features with the new snow.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2019 2:00PM