Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 24th, 2019 3:36PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Outflow winds continue to redistribute loose snow. Human triggered avalanches remain likely where fresh slabs have formed in exposed terrain. The best riding will be in sheltered areas out of the wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear. Alpine temperatures near -15C. Ridgetop winds moderate from the east-northeast.MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -14C. Ridgetop winds moderate to strong from the east.TUESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -12C. Ridgetop winds moderate gusting strong from the east.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -6C, freezing level rising to 800 m. Ridgetop winds light to moderate from the northeast.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, small size 1 avalanches were spotted in wind-pressed features, the new snow has likely formed fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. Loose dry sluffing is also occuring in steep terrain.A few small wind slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and naturally on Wednesday. They were on all aspects, in steep terrain, and at treeline and alpine elevations. The slabs were generally 10 to 20 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

The storm that began on Thursday delivered 15 to 30 cm of fluffy low density snow by Saturday morning. Over the weekend, winds shifted from west to east, expect to find new wind slabs on varied aspects, as well as in cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.

Problems

Wind Slabs

15-30 cm of recent snow is being blown into reactive slabs on a variety of aspects. Strong outflow winds will continue to redistribute loose snow building fresh wind slabs over recent storm slabs. Expect the most reactive deposits in exposed terrain.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Watch for patterns of wind loading as you venture into wind affected terrain.Seek out sheltered areas where the new snow is unaffected by wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 25th, 2019 2:00PM