Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2013 10:30AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Thursday:  A cold front in the North is slowly sliding Southward bringing cooler temperatures and periods of moderate snow falls where the moist Pacific air meets the cold front. Expect moderate to strong Southerly winds and temperatures around -11.0 at the ridgetops.Friday: The Pacific moisture feed should end by late morning as the Low pressure system tracks Northward up the coast. Periods of moderate precipitation are expected where the moist air meets the cold front.Saturday: Unsettled weather is expected in the wake of the storm. Some broken skies or scattered cloud in the afternoon. Alpine temperatures around -10.0

Avalanche Summary

No new reports due to poor visibility.

Snowpack Summary

Some areas report some freezing rain to ridgetops. 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

An icon showing 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.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Stay well back from cornices.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2013 2:00PM