Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2017 3:38PM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Periods of strong solar radiation combined with high daytime freezing levels may increase the chance of deep persistent avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Overnight: Mostly cloudy with a chance of flurries and light northwest winds. Freezing down to valley bottoms by morning. Thursday: A weak ridge of high pressure should bring scattered cloud with periods of strong solar radiation, and daytime freezing levels up to 1200 metres. Friday: Cloudy with 3-5 cm of new snow combined with strong southwest winds and daytime freezing levels up to 1300 metres. Saturday: Another 3-5 cm of new snow and strong southwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light snow combined with moderate southwest winds has developed wind slabs in the alpine and in some exposed treeline locations. Periods of sun and high daytime freezing levels have developed crusts below treeline and on sun exposed terrain at all elevations. The snow may be moist or wet below treeline during the warmest part of the day. The deep persistent weak layer of facets and/or a crust that were buried early in the winter are still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs continue to be a concern for human triggering. Watch for pockets of wind transported snow at higher elevations, and on slopes that are sheltered from the sun.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depthBe aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets and/or a crust that developed early in the winter lies near the bottom of the snowpack. Forecast strong solar radiation and high daytime freezing levels may combine to "wake-up" this deep persistent problem.

If triggered the persistent slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Choose well supported terrain without convexities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2017 2:00PM