Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2013 9:44AM

The alpine rating is moderate, 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 - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: Cool, sunny and dry with light Southeast winds. Freezing level rising to about 600 metres during the day.Thursday: Continued cool and dry with overnight lows down to about -6.0 and daytime freezing levels rising to about 600 metres. Light Southwest winds are expected during the day.Friday: More dry sunny weather is expected.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

The West of the region is reporting new surface hoar growth from 5-15 mm. The recent storm snow continues to settle and has been covered by a dusting of new snow in areas that received some convective snow showers. Foot penetration has been reported to be about 40 cms in the deeper snowpack areas of the region. The East parts of the region have reported a shallow weak snowpack with areas of basal facets. Strong southwest winds have formed touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain in the lee of ridges, gully side walls, and behind terrain features. There are a variety of old interfaces now down 60 - 100cm which include facets, crusts and isolated pockets of surface hoar.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent wind slabs are becoming more stubborn to human triggers, but may release with larger triggers like re-grouping or multiple people on the same slope. Watch for unsupported convex slopes, and shallow weak spots around exposed rocks and trees.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2013 2:00PM