Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2015 8:36AM

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

Avalanche Canada jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Snowfall amounts on Sunday night and Monday morning are expected to vary dramatically throughout the region. Pay close attention to how much snow fell in your area, and choose terrain accordingly.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Expect lingering snowfall (up to 10cm) on Monday morning as Sunday's storm tapers-off. A clearing trend is forecast for late Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, a strong Pacific low will deliver another round of moderate snowfall. Ridgetop winds will remain moderate to strong from the southwest on Monday, decreasing somewhat on Tuesday, and then becoming strong and southwesterly with Wednesday's system Freezing levels should hover around 600m for the forecast period.

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. The wind slabs formed in response to strong southwest winds and snowfall on Thursday and Friday. Continued snowfall and strong westerly winds on Sunday and Monday morning will likely spark another round of wind slab activity.

Snowpack Summary

Just before the weekend, 10-20cm of snow and strong SW winds built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. More snow and wind on Sunday will add size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. Below the recent snowfall, you'll find a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are reported to be large and potentially unstable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
New snow and strong winds on Sunday will build new and reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Watch for triggering in gullies and in the lee of ridgecrests.
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.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2015 2:00PM

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