Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2018 3:04PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

The best riding is likely to be found on sheltered north and east facing slopes.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level around 500 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1000 m.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate southerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Wednesday. However, east ofÂ Ningunsaw Provincial Park, evidence of an old cornice triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanche was reported on an easterly aspect that failed on facets around 100 cm down at 2100 m.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find sun crusts on steep solar aspects. The old wind slabs created over the weekend are faceting and becoming less reactive to human triggers.A crust/surface hoar layer buried mid-January is now roughly 80-140 cm below the surface, and still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like a cornice fall.It is unlikely, but may still be possible to trigger very large avalanches on facets at the bottom of the snowpack in steep, rocky, and shallow snowpack areas or with large triggers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The old wind slabs formed last weekend are becoming less likely to human trigger. Steep, convex, and rocky areas are the most likely spots to trigger these lingering wind slabs.

Avoid steep, rocky, wind effected areas where triggering is more likely.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2018 2:00PM