Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Mar 9 – 10, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Thin new wind slabs may develop in exposed lee terrain on Sunday. Older wind slabs are becoming more stubborn to human triggers, but may release with larger triggers (cornice fall, multiple people on the same slope).

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    Large and weak cornices may fail, especially during periods of warming or solar radiation. A cornice fall could trigger a slab on the slope below.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 600 m during the day. Winds are moderate from the northwest. Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level is around 600 m. Winds are light from the west. Tuesday: Light snow. The freezing level is around 500 m. Winds increase to moderate or strong from the southwest.  

Avalanche Summary

Recent observations include one cornice triggered size 3 slab avalanche on a steep northeast aspect and a couple rider triggered size 1 wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread surface hoar growth and near surface faceting continues with clear and cool weather. 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.

Regions covered