Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2015 8:28AM

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

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Very strong winds are expected that will rapidly set up wind slabs in many areas.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: Around 10 cm new snow expected. Freezing levels around 1500 m. Ridgetop winds gusting to 80 km/h from the southwest. Tuesday and Wednesday: 1-2 cm new snow expected each day. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Winds diminishing in intensity and blowing from the west.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche reports.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds are expected to be strong to extreme on Monday from the southwest. Combine this with around 10 cm new snow, and touchy wind slabs could develop very rapidly on a variety of lee and cross-loaded slopes in exposed areas.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by windloading may reach run out zones.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2015 2:00PM