Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2018 3:00PM

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.

Watch for freshly formed small wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mostly 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 1200 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in this region on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find sun crusts on steep solar aspects. The old wind slabs created last 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 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

Watch for newly formed wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Use caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2018 2:00PM