Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for wind slabs at higher elevations where dry snow may still be lingering on shaded aspects. Periods of strong wind from the northwest may form new slabs on Monday. Where the snowpack is capped by a thick melt-freeze crust, avalanches will be unlikely.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Unsettled conditions are expected on Monday as a weather system off the north coast moves southward resulting in strong winds and lower freezing levels for the region.Â
Sunday Night: Mainly clear, moderate to strong NW wind, freezing levels 2000-2500 m with an inversion.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud, strong NW wind, freezing levels dropping to around 1500 m.
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with periods of light flurries, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 1000 m.
Wednesday: Sunny, moderate NE wind, freezing levels around 800 m.
Avalanche Summary
This MIN post from Saturday includes evidence of small loose wet avalanches from steep slopes.Â
A natural avalanche cycle had occurred during the storm between Feb 27 and March 1.Â
Snowpack Summary
A widespread melt-freeze crust is now expected to be capping the snowpack. On high elevation north aspects, there may still be some dry snow but this is expected to be somewhat unlikely by Monday. In exposed terrain at higher elevations, the snow surface may be wind-affected and wind slab formation may have occurred over the weekend as a result of periods of moderate northerly winds.Â
A melt-freeze crust from mid-February can be found approximately 80 cm beneath the surface. There were some observations of a poor bond to this crust last week but more recent observations suggest the crust is now well bonded to the surrounding snow. A strong, well-settled middle and lower snowpack exist below the crust.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Reactive wind slabs may be lingering from the weekend in exposed alpine terrain.
Ongoing wind slab formation may be possible on Monday with periods of strong NW wind expected. However, this will depend on the extent of the surface melt-freeze crust. If a crust has formed on high elevation north aspects, wind slab formation will be unlikely. If you are still finding dry, unconsolidated surface snow, wind slab formation remains possible.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2022 4:00PM
