Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2018 4:02PM

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

mgrist, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Low danger does not mean no danger: Normal caution applies and be alert for lingering wind slabs at high elevations. Use caution if wet snow is found at low elevations, especially if the sun comes out for any length of time.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

We're looking at increasing cloud and trace amounts of precipitation over the next three days.MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and possible isolated flurries / Light to moderate north westerly winds / Alpine temperature near 0 degrees C / Freezing level 1200 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries (2-5 cm possible) / Moderate south westerly winds / Alpine temperature near 0 degrees C / Freezing level 700 m.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light south east winds / Alpine temperature -2 C / Freezing level 500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, wet loose avalanches to size 2 were reported at all elevations on sunny aspects. Some of these stepped down to basal facets in northern parts of the region. In the south of the region, cornice failures on north facing ridge lines in the alpine were also reported, to size 2, but not triggering slabs below.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snow surfaces are found in the region. In the east of the region, 5 to 10 cm of snow fell late last week onto a melt-freeze crust from previous warm temperatures and rain. In the west of the region, the melt-freeze crust is on the surface. Wet snow may still exist at low elevations on all aspects. High elevation north aspects may have lingering wind slabs in immediate lee features. This overlies a surface hoar and sugary facet layer in sheltered locations.A surface hoar and crust layer from January is buried around 80 to 140 cm in the southwest of the region. This layer still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like a cornice fall.Sugary facets exist at the bottom of the snowpack in steep, rocky, and shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Loose Wet

Mid-mountain freezing levels and a potential lack of overnight re-freeze will mean that loose wet avalanches are more likely at lower elevations, especially if the sun comes out in force.

Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where small avalanches can have high consequences.Watch for signs that the snow is moistening such as pin-wheeling and point-releases below cliffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs from the past few days also linger in lee and cross-loaded features.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2018 2:00PM