Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 7th, 2018 5:29PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, 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 in sheltered north and east facing aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwesterly ridgetop winds / Alpine high -7FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries / Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Alpine high -4SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday.

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

Wind slabs are becoming less likely to human trigger. Steep, convex, and rocky areas are the most likely spots to trigger these lingering wind slabs.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2018 2:00PM