Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2015 9:12AM

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

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Hazard forecast is highly dependent on how much snow accumulates during the incoming storm.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A Pacific low will deliver another round of moderate snowfall beginning Wednesday and continuing into next weekend. Strong southwesterly winds will accompany the incoming precipitation . Freezing levels will stay around the 1500M mark , but drop to around 500m on Wednesday, then rise again to 1500m for the rest of the storm cycle.

Avalanche Summary

There have been recent reports of skier accidental and natural wind slabs to size 1.5 occurring on north and east-facing terrain at treeline and above. On Tuesday we received a report of a size 2 skier triggered avalanche on Hudsons Bay Mtn. with skier involvement and injuries.  Local skiers have also reported natural activity on solar aspects. With incoming storms, more wind slab development ( and avalanches ) can be expected.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of snow and strong SW winds from the previous storm built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Snow and winds on Sunday have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storms snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects may become active in the afternoons.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent snowfalls accompanied by strong winds have created touchy conditions on lee slopes. Cornices have been building and may also present a hazard.
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.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2015 2:00PM