Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2015 8:52AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Watch for thin wind slabs in the alpine that could be problematic, especially in complex terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Increasing cloud cover. Light SW winds at treeline, Moderate W/SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 800m, lowering to 500m overnight. No significant precipitation. Wednesday Night: 2 to 10cm of snow. Thursday: 5 to 15cm of snow. Strong SW winds at treeline, Strong to Extreme SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 1200m, lowering to 800m Thursday night. Friday: 1 to 5cm of snow. Light SW winds at treeline, Strong W/SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level holding at 800m.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 avalanche was observed from a steep un-skiable solar aspect over the weekend. Several small wind slabs were observed on Monday. Last week, several full-depth avalanches up to size 3 were observed on all but north aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Northerly outflow winds have likely created isolated stiff thin wind slabs in lee alpine terrain. A variety of other surfaces can be found including a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

North and West winds have created stiff thin wind slabs. These slabs have been fairly stubborn, but you may be able to trigger one in steep and or convex terrain. Keep an eye out for large cornices which may fail without obvious rhyme or reason.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2015 2:00PM