Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2018 4:20PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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South Rockies.

New snowfall over the day will fall with strong winds. Expect to find wind slabs in lee terrain features.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY:  Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, moderate to strong westerly winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1500 m.SATURDAY: Sunny with a few clouds, light easterly winds, alpine temperature -15 C, freezing level 700 m.SUNDAY: Increasing clouds with light snowfall, moderate southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, small to large (size 1 to 3) wind slabs were triggered naturally, generally on northerly to easterly aspects, in alpine terrain. 

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs exist on all aspects in exposed terrain, produced from variable wind directions that redistributed last weekend’s storm snow.  In sheltered locations, expect to find dry snow in shady areas or wet snow on southerly aspects.  This snow overlies a crust found up to 2200 metres.  On shaded aspects at treeline in parts of the region, a layer of surface hoar is found about 40 cm down.The midpack is well-settled and strong, which overlies sugary facets in thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong westerly winds have produced wind slabs in lee terrain features. Expect new snowfall to form reactive wind slabs at higher elevations as well.
Keep an eye out for localized areas of deeper snow accumulation, particularly on eastern slopes.Observe for signs of instability, such as cracking, whumpfing, and avalanche activity.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline where wind slabs are expected.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2018 2:00PM

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