Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2013 10:12AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Monday: Light precipitation and light winds overnight should become moderate precipitation in the afternoon. The freezing level should be at valley bottoms.Tuesday: Cloudy with light precipitation and light winds. Freezing level rising to about 900 metres.Wednesday: Continued unsettled weather, cloudy with light precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose snow sluffing in steep terrain was reported from the West of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Light snow fall is expected to bury the recent surface hoar before the strong winds develop. Foot penetration has reduced to about 25 cm as the recent storm slab continues to settle. The west of the region is reporting a very well settled snow pack at all elevations. The East parts of the region have reported a shallow weak snowpack with areas of basal facets. Strong southwest winds have formed touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain in the lee of ridges, gully side walls, and behind terrain features. There are a variety of old interfaces now down 60 - 100cm which include facets, crusts and isolated pockets of surface hoar.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin new wind slabs may develop in exposed lee terrain. Older wind slabs are becoming more stubborn to human triggers, but may release with larger triggers (cornice fall, multiple people on the same slope).

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2013 2:00PM