Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2018 4:22PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Recent new snow combined with wind has promoted wind slab development as well as cornice growth. As the clouds part in the coming days remember that the sun packs a punch this time of year.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light east wind / Alpine temperature -11SUNDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -16 MONDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -15

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has consisted of mainly natural wind slabs to size 1.5 and 2 in alpine terrain. Deep persistent avalanche activity has become less frequent over the past week.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow is settling and has been redistributed into slabs in wind-exposed terrain. Below this is a layer buried mid-February that presents as a sun crust on solar aspects, and spotty surface hoar on sheltered slopes. This layer looks most concerning on on solar aspects where it's associated with with small facets or surface hoar above.There are several deeper layers in the mid-pack that have shown signs of improving but remain on the radar as a low probability to trigger, yet would produce a high consequence avalanche if triggered. We are talking about surface hoar buried back in December and January. Near the base of the snowpack is a November crust combined with loose sugary snow. These layers may "wake-up" with strong inputs such as sustained warming, sustained snowfall, large triggers (e.g. cornice fall, smaller avalanches coming down from above); human triggering is also possible in shallow snowpack areas with variable snow depth and convoluted terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent new snow combined with wind has promoted slab development on lee slopes in wind exposed areas.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Buried weak layers exist within the snowpack and may be reactive to large triggers such as a cornice fall. Human triggering may also be possible in shallow or thin, rocky, unsupported terrain.

Watch convoluted terrain with variable snowpack depth and multiple trigger points.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger persistent slabs.Carefully assess and consider avoiding southerly facing slopes

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2018 2:00PM