Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2019 7:27PM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Recent storm snow combined with predominantly southwest wind is expected to continue to form fresh sensitive wind slabs that rest on a weak layer of facets. Seek out conservative terrain protected from the wind.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Friday and Saturday look quite convective which means that periods of locally intense snow flurries are possible. The freezing level starts to creep up Saturday as warm air invades from the south. THURSDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, moderate to strong west wind, 2 to 5 cm of snow.FRIDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level rising to 1000 m, moderate to strong south/southwest wind, trace of snow.SATURDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level rising to 1500 m, moderate to strong south/southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow. SUNDAY: Broken cloud cover, moderate to strong south/southwest wind, freezing level approaching 2000 m, a few mm of precipitation possible.

Avalanche Summary

Few observers in the field this week but reports are consistent with a natural avalanche cycle of storm and wind slabs up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 45 cm of slightly upside down storm snow has accumulated since Monday. This new snow rests on previously wind hammered snow, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and sugary facets. February's cold weather weakened the upper and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20 to 50 cm of the snowpack was faceting, or sits on facets (sugary snow),In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Up to 45 cm of upside down storm snow rests on a potpourri of old weak layers. Winds continue to re-form the storm snow into fresh wind slabs. These may be especially touchy where they rest on weak facetted snow.

Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 15th, 2019 2:00PM