Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 7th, 2018 5:22PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

The best riding is likely to be found in sheltered north and east facing aspects.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries / Light southwesterly ridgetop winds / Alpine high -3FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries; 5-10 cm new snow / Moderate to strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Alpine high -2SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries / Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a skier triggered size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a south aspect at 1200 m. No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Surface snow consists of thin sun crusts, sugary faceted snow, and wind pressed snow on a range of aspects in exposed terrain. In sheltered areas at treeline and below, 20-30 cm of snow sits over a layer of surface hoar that has been reactive to skier traffic in isolated locations. In the upper/mid-pack you will likely find layers of crusts, facets, and isolated surface hoar buried 50-100 cm below the surface. Deeper in the snowpack, around 150-200 cm down there is a crust/surface hoar layer from January which still has the potential to be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall. Sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack would likely be found in colder and dryer parts of the region, such as the far north.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are becoming less likely to human trigger. Steep, convex, and rocky areas are the most likely spots to trigger these lingering wind slabs.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Avoid steep, rocky, wind effected areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2018 2:00PM