Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada snow safety, Avalanche Canada

High freezing levels over the weekend will elevate the danger slightly and bring the possibility of moist surface sluffing at lower elevations. Watch the freezing levels closely and pull back into more conservative terrain as things heat up.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Increased freezing levels up to 2000m with light flurries and moderate west winds are forecast for Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent storm snow with sun crusts forming on solar aspects to treeline. Moist surface snow below 1600m and wet snow below 1300m on Friday. Expect to find small wind slabs forming in lee areas in the alpine. Generally, the snowpack is well consolidated with few weaknesses.

Avalanche Summary

Some solar triggered sluffing in steep rocky terrain, and moist sluffing and snowballing at lower elevations.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

West winds have formed small wind slabs in predictable areas on the leeward sides of ridges. Pay close attention to how the snow surface feels, ski test on small rolls, and look for clues like cracking.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The persistent weak layers from January and February are bonding well and have a low likelihood of triggering in most of the forecast area. The snowpack overall is quite strong, but check for yourself and look for surface hoar in the upper meter.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2016 4:00PM