Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Mar 25 – 26, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Carefully assess steep lines for wind slabs and limit exposure to cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    wind slabs could still be found near ridge crests or steep rollovers in the alpine.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Cornices have undergone rapid growth. Recently reported cornice failures have triggered wind slabs on slopes below.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Possibility of light flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with light southeast winds. Low of -3 at 1500 m.

Saturday: Clouds clearing with light southeast wind. High of -2 at 1500 m.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels rising to 1400 m.

Monday: Sunny with no new snow expected. Light west winds and freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural wind slab avalanches have been observed this week size 1.5-3, some of them triggered by cornice failures. 

Snowpack Summary

A supportive crust extends into the alpine on all aspects. This crust will likely become moist as the freezing level rises. Wind slabs may be found at high elevations on north and east aspects.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding according to recent snowpack tests. Additionally, we suspect that the surface crust will help bridge these layers, further decreasing their likelihood of triggering.

A thick crust 50-80 cm deep which formed in mid-February effectively bridges any underlying instabilities in the lower snowpack.

Regions covered