Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2015 8:06AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Snow and wind have created new avalanche problems.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Snowfall should taper to light flurries on Friday and Saturday, before the next storm system arrives on Sunday, bringing light snow. Winds are moderate to strong throughout the period, switching from SW to NW on Saturday, and back to SW on Sunday. The freezing level climbs to near 1500 m ahead of Sundayâ€™s storm but drops with the arrival of precipitation.

Avalanche Summary

Glide slabs have been releasing below treeline. At the time of writing, no avalanches have been reported from Thursday, but there may have been some avalanche activity in response to snow and wind-loading.

Snowpack Summary

New snow and strong SW winds are likely to have built wind slabs on lee features, and storm slabs in more sheltered spots. These overlie a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent snow and wind have left slabs which could be triggered naturally, or by the weight of a person. These may include wind slabs lee to the SW, and storm slabs on other aspects.

Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2015 2:00PM