Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2015 8:16AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

South Coast.

Watch out for daytime warming. Increased temperatures and solar radiation may increase the chances of avalanche activity.

Summary

Confidence

Good - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Expect a mix of sun and cloud for the forecast period. Ridge top winds should remain generally moderate from the northwest on Saturday and Sunday, and then become southwesterly on Monday. Freezing levels should hover around 2200m on Saturday, 2600m on Sunday, and 2100m on Monday.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a skier remotely triggered a size 1 (15cm deep) wind slab in the alpine. Otherwise there has been little recent avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

North and west winds have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee and cross-loaded slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Outflow winds have created small wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. These can be triggered by the weight of a person. Also, keep an eye out for large unstable cornices that threaten your route.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2015 2:00PM