Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2019 3:18PM

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.

Winds continue to modify loose snow. Look for signs of instability as you gain elevation and transition into wind-affected terrain, the best riding will likely be found in sheltered areas with limited wind effect.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -9C. 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 10-25 km/h from the east-southeast.FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Alpine temperatures near -15C. Ridgetop winds 20-30 km/h from the southeast.SATURDAY: Sunny. Alpine temperatures near -20C. Ridgetop winds 20-35 km/h from the east.

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 scoured ridges and developed wind slabs and a variety of wind-affected surfaces throughout the alpine and into treeline. Lower density snow can still be found in sheltered and lee terrain, and in most areas, the 20-50 cm 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. A thin sun crust has formed on steep solar aspects.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 continue to develop a variety of wind-affected surfaces. Wind slabs have formed around ridge features and cross-loaded areas, stronger winds may develop slabs lower in start zones and more sheltered terrain than expected.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2019 2:00PM