Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2015 8:46AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Watch for thin wind slabs if you're traveling in the alpine Tuesday.

Summary

Confidence

Good - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

High and dry conditions remain in place until Thursday when a weakening storm is expected to impact the region. Tuesday: Increasing cloud cover throughout the day. Light NW winds at treeline, Moderate NW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level at valley bottom. No significant precipitation. Wednesday: Increasing cloud cover throughout the day. Light W winds at treeline, Moderate to Strong W/NW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 800m, lowering to valley bottom overnight. No significant precipitation. Thursday: 1 to 5cm of snow. Strong SW winds at treeline, Strong to Extreme SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 1200m, increasing to 1600m Thursday night.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend avalanches to size 3 were reported from steep un-skiable south through west facing terrain features and isolated cornice fall produced a few slabs out of extreme terrain. Very thin wind slabs on NE facing alpine features were also observed.

Snowpack Summary

Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds out of the North and Northwest have created small new wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. These can be triggered by the weight of a person. Also, keep an eye out for large unstable cornices that threaten your route.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2015 2:00PM