Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 7th, 2013 9:31AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Friday: Continued dry and cool with light variable winds. Daytime freezing levels rising to 1000 metres.Saturday: The ridge is expected to break down during the day, resulting in increasing cloud and light flurries in the evening.Sunday: The low pressure system is expected to be mostly confined to the coast. Some light precipitation should bring about 5 cms of snow, with enhanced snow fall to the Southwest of the region.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar continues to develop during the clear nights, and near surface facets continue to develop. Foot penetration has reduced to about 25 cms as the recent storm slab continues to settle. The west of the region is reporting a very well settled snow pack at all elevations. The East parts of the region have reported a shallow weak snowpack with areas of basal facets. Strong southwest winds have formed touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain in the lee of ridges, gully side walls, and behind terrain features. There are a variety of old interfaces now down 60 - 100cm which include facets, crusts and isolated pockets of surface hoar.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent wind slabs are becoming more stubborn to human triggers, but may release with larger triggers like re-grouping or multiple people on the same slope. Watch for unsupported convex slopes, and shallow weak spots around exposed rocks and trees.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets near ridge crests at higher elevations.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2013 2:00PM