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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 6th, 2022–Mar 7th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies.

Check for pockets of wind loading in exposed terrain features at higher elevations. Be aware of drum-like, hollow sounding snow. 

Slabs will be more reactive where they sit over a crust.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

A cold front approaches from the north overnight, bringing light snowfall and cold temperatures. Snowfall will favour the Kakwa-Renshaw areas.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with strong west/northwest winds. Light snowfall begins with 3 cm possible. Freezing levels drop from 1500 m to valley bottom by morning. 

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with up to 2-10 cm possible, light northerly winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high of -8.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries possible. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom with alpine highs of -12. 

WEDNESDAY: Clearing skies with moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom with alpine highs of -10. 

Avalanche Summary

Strong sun on Saturday produced loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 on sun affected slopes. 

There have also been a few small (size 1-1.5) human triggered slabs on north and east facing slopes over the past 4 days. These slabs have been in the top 20 to 30 cm of recent snow.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northwest winds will redistribute snow onto south and east facing slopes. Small wind loaded pockets will build over sun crusts on south-facing slopes and wind affected alpine surfaces. A layer of surface hoar may be buried in wind-sheltered terrain features. The bond between wind distributed snow and old snow surfaces may be poor. 

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface. 

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated with multiple crusts throughout. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.