Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2019 3:44PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Outflow winds have produced wind slabs on various aspects and cross-loaded terrain. Look for signs of instability as you gain elevation and transition into wind-affected terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -6C. Ridgetop winds 15-25 km/h from the east.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -6C. Ridgetop winds 20-35 km/h gusting to 50 km/h from the east.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -8C. Ridgetop winds 15-25 km/h from the southeast.FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Alpine temperatures near -15C. Ridgetop winds 25-30 km/h from the southeast.

Avalanche Summary

There have been few snow and avalanche observations for this region recently.On Saturday, a small size 1 natural avalanche cycle was spotted in wind-pressed features and, on Sunday, small size 1 slabs were reactive to skier traffic. As well, loose dry snow was sloughing in steep terrain over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds have redistributed recent snow producing firm wind slabs at ridgetops and a variety of wind-affected surfaces throughout the alpine. In most areas, the 20-50 cm recent snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, low density snow overlies facets and/or spotty surface hoar. In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds are redistributing recent snowfall producing a variety of wind affected surfaces. With outflow winds, expect slab development on a variety of aspects and cross-loaded areas. Stronger winds may build slabs lower in features than expected.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Watch for patterns of wind loading as you venture into wind affected terrain.Seek out sheltered areas where the new snow is unaffected by wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2019 2:00PM