Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2015 9:21AM

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

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Snowfall amounts will vary throughout the region. Pay close attention to how much snow fell in your area, and choose terrain accordingly.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Some clearing today and into Tuesday but by Wednesday, a Pacific low will deliver another round of moderate snowfall into the Northwest Inland area. bringing 10 to 20cm at upper elevations.  Ridgetop winds will decrease somewhat on Tuesday, and then ramp up to strong and southwesterly with the incoming system late Wednesday and into Thursday Freezing levels should hover around 1000m for the forecast period, dipping overnight Tuesday and Wednesday to adound400 m..

Avalanche Summary

There were a few recent reports of wind slabs to size 2 occurring on north and east-facing terrain at treeline and above. In addition, local skiers are reporting  activity on solar aspects.  With incoming storms, more wind slab development  ( and avalanches )  can be expected.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of snow and strong SW winds from the previous storm  built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Snow and winds on Sunday have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storms snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are getting to be large and potentially unstable.  Solar aspects may become active in the afternoons.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent snowfalls accompanied by strong winds have created touchy conditions on lee slopes.  Cornices have been building and may also present a hazard.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2015 2:00PM