Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 16th, 2018 4:31PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Variable amounts of snow fell in the region, mostly at alpine elevations. Watch for signs of instability, such as cracking and avalanche activity. Use caution at low elevations if the snow surface is still wet.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

We're looking at seasonal temperatures and light snowfall accumulations in a north / easterly flow. SATURDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5-10 cm possible in eastern sections of the region, light northeasterly winds, alpine temperature +2 C, freezing level 1500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 3 to 8 cm, light to moderate northerly winds, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1100 m.MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate westerly winds, alpine temperature +1 C, freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, several small wet loose avalanches were reported on sunny aspects at all elevations. A size 1.5 natural cornice failure was also reported on a high north east facing ridge line, which did not trigger any slabs below.

Snowpack Summary

Variable but overall small amounts of new snow fell at high elevations and rain fell at low elevations. This landed on a melt-freeze crust produced with the recent warm air temperatures, sun, and rain. The crust exists everywhere except for possibly on shady aspects at high elevations. Expect to find wet snow at low elevations.Deeper in the snowpack, the mid-December and late-November weak layers are composed of crusts and sugary facets, which are down 200-300 cm. These layers have been dormant but may be awoken by a large trigger, such as a cornice fall.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Precipitation fell mostly as rain at lower elevations and snow at higher elevations. New snow may not bond well to underlying surfaces.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow may form touchy slabs.Keep an eye out for localized areas of deeper snow accumulation, particularly on eastern slopes

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

High freezing levels and recent rain have moistened the snowpack at lower elevations. Use caution in terrain features where a small avalanche could have serious consequences.

Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where small avalanches can have high consequence.Watch for signs that the snow is moistening such as pin-wheeling and point-releases below cliffs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2018 2:00PM