Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
New snow and strong west winds will form fresh wind slabs on lee features throughout the day.
Cornices are very large in many areas. Cornice failures may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / Strong west winds / Low of -11 / Freezing level surface.
FRIDAY: Snow; 5-15 cm, and another 10-20 cm overnight / Strong west wind / High of -1 / Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-5 cm / Moderate northwest wind / High of -1 / Freezing level 1300 m.
SUNDAY: Cloudy / Light west wind / High of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday.
A skier triggered size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a east aspect below a treeline ridgetop on Monday. The wind slab was sitting on a layer of recently buried surface hoar which resulted in wide propagation of the slab.
Riders may get surprised by widely propagating wind slabs that are sitting on crusts and/or surface hoar.
Snowpack Summary
Recent west/northwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features in the alpine. Below the recent snow, there may be a layer of small surface hoar that is likely most pronounced in shady or sheltered locations. Riders may be surprised by widely propagating wind slabs on steep and/or convex slopes where this surface hoar is present.
Sun crust on southerly aspects and temperature crust on all aspects below 1500 m.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with multiple crusts throughout. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong west winds will form fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers on lee features.
Cornices are very large in many areas. Cornice failures may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2022 4:00PM
