Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 3rd, 2018 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeA structurally weak snowpack making any travel, "deeply troubling" in uncompacted terrain, especially below treeline. The persistent weakness is mostly found at or near treeline.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The forecast was showing real meteorological potential for a good, late winter storm. Sadly, all the moisture has been sucked dry from the region so local snowfall amounts over the next 36 hours are expected to be light. Thankfully, it will remain cold...
Snowpack Summary
Much of the regional snowpack is losing support and, facetting after two weeks of cold, dry weather. Wind slabs and extensive wind effect is found in all open areas. The upper snowpack is a 50 to 80 cm weakening slab, over the seasonally persistent instability.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed or reported.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect hardslabs in the alpine and at treeline. The cold has reduced the tension in these but caution is still warranted.
Best conditions on sheltered northerly aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A cold, facetting, and structurally weak slab up to 80cm thick overlies: faceted crystals (well developed in shallow areas), surface hoar (at, and just above treeline), and sun crusts (on steep S and W aspects).
Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 4th, 2018 4:00PM