Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2019 4:42PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Snow and wind at upper elevations Monday night is expected to build fresh wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

MONDAY Night: Wet snow, accumulation 5-15 cm at upper elevations / moderate to strong southwest wind / alpine temperature -3 C / freezing level 1500 m dropping to 1000 mTUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated wet flurries / moderate southwest wind / alpine temperature -2 C / freezing level 1400 m WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light east wind / alpine temperature 5 C / freezing level 1800 mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light east wind / alpine temperature 4 C / freezing level 1800 m

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. In the far north of the region on Friday and Saturday loose wet avalanche activity up to size 2 was reported on solar aspects. Sporadic natural slab avalanches were also reported in the alpine and treeline, but no activity was reported from north aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow at upper elevations Tuesday night sits on a variety of surfaces. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow and/or isolated old wind slabs. Most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack including the February facet interface which is down 20 to 60 cm below the surface, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with southwest wind will promote wind slab development in the lee of terrain features.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

Rain at lower elevations Monday night and then a possibility of the sun coming out during the day may keep the surface snow wet to maintain a likelihood of triggering thin loose wet avalanches.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2019 2:00PM