Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2013 10:48AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: Alpine temperatures dropping down to about -11.0 and the freezing level remaining at valley bottoms during the day. Southerly winds are expected to increase to 40 km/hr with light to moderate snow fall.Thursday: Continued light to moderate snow fall with lighter South winds. Freezing level at valley bottoms.Friday: Another day of light to moderate snow fall. South winds are expected to increase and the freezing level should rise to 1000 metres.

Avalanche Summary

Some thin wind slabs were released from ski cutting on East thru Southeast aspects at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Strong Southwest winds are re-distributing new snow into wind slabs, and reverse loading areas that were stripped by recent Northwest winds. These wind slabs may be sitting above recently developed surface hoar and surface facets in area where they were not stripped by the wind. Strong solar radiation may have developed sun crusts on solar aspects up to about 2000 metres. The mid pack is reported to be well settled without any layers of concern. Depth hoar and facets are reported near the ground in areas with a thin snow pack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs are developing due to strong Southwest winds and new snow. Some recent wind slabs on Easterly aspects may be stripped or reverse loaded by the new storm.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2013 2:00PM