Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 7th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Email

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.

Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Two cornice triggered size 2-2.5 wind slab avalanches were reported on a northwest aspect at 1800 m in the Brandywine zone on Monday. One of them hit the Chocolate Bowl access trail.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating.

10 cm of new snow from convective flurries. Moderate southeasterly wind continue to form wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above. These slabs are sitting on either hard surfaces or small facets.

A couple crusts with facets sitting above them can be found at treeline and above down 60-180 cm.

The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear skies / Light south ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline -10 C / Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -2 C / Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -2 C / Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Light southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -4 C / Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may remain reactive on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating. Cornice failures act as heavy triggers and can trigger large avalanches on slopes that a single rider would not trigger.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 8th, 2023 4:00PM