Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2015 7:05AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

South Columbia.

Northerly winds and periods of convective flurries have created wind slabs in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Sunny and dry for Wednesday and Thursday with freezing levels around 1500 m and light winds. Cloud and possible flurries for Friday as freezing levels rise above 2000 m and winds increase to moderate westerlies.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday and Tuesday morning include widespread dry loose sloughing up to Size 1.5 in steep terrain. Slope cutting also produced several Size 1 storm slabs and wind slabs.

Snowpack Summary

There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts, which is generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface is also variable and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Locally deep and weak wind slabs may be lurking in unusual places. Although not expected to be large, they could easily take you for a ride.

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2015 2:00PM