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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 4th, 2017–Mar 5th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Storm slabs are very reactive to human triggers. Conservative terrain selection is crucial.

Confidence

High - Due to the quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Light flurries confined to coastal areas, 20-30 km/h south winds, alpine temperatures around -12 C.MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries and 3-5 cm of new snow, 30-50 km/h south winds, alpine temperatures around -12 C.TUESDAY: Stormy with 15-20 cm of new snow, 30-50 km/h south winds, alpine temperatures around -12 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, storms slabs were very reactive to human triggers producing numerous size 1-1.5 avalanches and widespread whumpfing and cracking in flat terrain. Explosive control resulted in numerous size 2-2.5 slab avalanches. A widespread natural cycle occurred during the peak of the storm with up to size 2.5 slabs on a variety of elevations and aspects. Conditions will remain touchy as the recent storm snow settles and stiffens.

Snowpack Summary

60-80 cm of recent storm snow has buried a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets, crusts, stiff wind slabs and a melt-freeze crust below 1600 m. The storm snow has been very reactive on this interface including widespread whumpfing and cracking in flat terrain. Below this interface the snowpack is generally settled and strong with the exception in shallow snowpack areas around Bear Pass and Ningunsaw where basal facets remain an ongoing concern.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh storm slabs are reactive and have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces. Deeper deposits of wind slabs may also exist on leeward slopes and behind terrain features.
Storm slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3