Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JMinifie, Avalanche Canada

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New snow is starting to bond to old, firm surfaces but this bond should continue to be investigated. As we see more sun over the next few days, the upper snowpack could become weakened.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

  

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy. Intermittent flurries. Wind light from the south. A high of -2°C and a low of -6°C. Freezing levels will remain at valley bottom

Thursday: A mix of sun and clouds. Flurries possible. Wind light from the south. A high of -4°C and a low of -8°C.

Friday: A mix of sun and clouds. No precipitation. Wind light from the south. A high of -4°C and a low of -10°C.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries possible. Wind starting light and building to moderate from the southwest. A high of -4°C and a low of -10°C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday.

On Tuesday afternoon, our field team reported a widespread natural avalanche cycle to size 2 in the alpine areas beyond Fraser (Bryant) Lake

Snowpack Summary

15-30cm of storm snow from the weekend now sits on top of firm surfaces in White Pass. As of Tuesday afternoon, this storm snow had settled enough to produce a natural avalanche cycle up to size 2 as reported by our field team. The avalanches were running on firm, wind hammered surfaces. A thin crust can now be found on south facing slopes at lower elevations. 

The middle snowpack is firm, well settled, and bonded and is effectively bridging the weak, sugary crystals that exist at the bottom of the snowpack. 

Areas north of the White Pass such as Paddy Peak, Tutshi, and Powder Valley continue to host a wind smashed and scoured landscape. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
  • Use appropriate sluff management techniques.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

The new snow has been distributed into denser, more consolidated slabs on north through northeast facing features in the alpine. Drop into bigger lines and high-mark with caution. 

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2022 4:00PM

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