Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2018 3:44PM

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

jmcbride, Avalanche Canada

North Columbia.

Be aware of snow conditions that change with elevation and from one aspect to another. Thin storm slabs may exist in the alpine while wet or moist snow may become a concern on sunny slopes, and at lower elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, northwest. Alpine Temperature near -6. Freezing level 1500 m.MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Friday there were reports of several skier triggered (size 1-1.5) avalanches from 15-25 cm deep on north through southeast aspects between 1700-2100 m.Thursday there were reports of small (size 1) natural and skier triggered avalanches in steep, north-facing terrain.Wednesday there was a report of a skier triggered size 1 wind slab on a north aspect at 2000 m.Earlier in the week; a natural avalanche cycle to size 3.5 occurred. These avalanches were primarily wet loose avalanches on sunny aspects; however, some slab releases did step down to deeper weak layers (with 50-70 cm crowns) on west and southerly aspects, as well as skier triggered wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a natural size 3 cornice failure on a northwest aspect in the alpine that triggered the most recent storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

A light dusting of new snow (10-15 cm) now covers a crust on all but high elevation north and east facing slopes where cold, dry snow sits above a well settled snowpack. Deeper persistent weak layers from January and December are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.

Problems

Loose Wet

Watch for areas of moist or wet snow especially on steep, sunny slopes and near rocky outcrops or gullies.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2018 2:00PM