Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 7th, 2022 4:42PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Conrad Janzen,
The cooler temperatures are helping lock in the buried sun crusts, but increased winds with new snow have formed small wind slabs in the alpine that are worth paying attention to in steep terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cooler temperatures are arriving following the passage of an intense cold front on Monday afternoon. Moderate northerly winds in the alpine with treeline temperatures steady near -15 C are expected on Tuesday. A mix of sun and cloud with no significant snow is forecast.
Snowpack Summary
5-15 cm of new snow over a sun crust on steep solar aspects that exists up to about 2600 m. Northerly winds forming new wind slabs in alpine terrain. February 16 sun crust down 20-40 cm on steep southerly aspects. January 30 facet or sun crust interface is down 50-80 cm. Lower snowpack is well settled. Typical shallow areas remain faceted.
Avalanche Summary
One cornice failure that triggered a size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed in the Rampart area near Sunshine in the last 48 hrs and a cornice failure near Crowfoot Glades was also observed. Ski cutting produced some small wind slabs at local ski areas. A couple slabs on steep solar slopes were observed Sunday with daytime heating.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday
Problems
Wind Slabs
An intense cold front on Monday afternoon brought some new snow and increased Northerly winds. These inputs have formed small wind slabs in the alpine that could be triggered in steep terrain.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This crust facet layer down 20 to 40cm on steep slopes at treeline and above has produced several natural and skier triggered avalanches over the last few days. Diminishing solar inputs and cooling has decreased the sensitivity of these slabs.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 8th, 2022 4:00PM
