Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to assess the wind slab hazard as you move through terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the complexity of the snowpack’s structure.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: no new snow expected. Light southwest winds and a low of -5 at 1700m.
Sunday: cloudy with flurries bringing up to 10cm of snow and light southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1500m.
Monday: stormy with 10 to 20cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southerly winds with freezing levels rising to 1500m.
Tuesday: stormy with up to 20cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1700m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past few days only a few small skier triggered slab avalanches have been reported. These avalanches were all at treeline.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accompanied by southwest winds will likely form new wind slabs on north and east aspects. Moist snow could be observed below treeline.
A new surface hoar/crust layer has recently been buried, it is not yet a concern. In the southern half of the region a crust from earlier this month can be found on all aspects and elevations down 10 to 30cm.Â
The late February layer is down 50cm on average. It consists of surface hoar crystals in shady, wind-sheltered areas around treeline and a crust on solar aspects.
Several other persistent weak layers from February and January can be found in the upper and mid snowpack.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab could be found on north and east aspects. Sensitivity to triggering could be greater where wind slab overlies a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Several persistent weak layers exist within the snowpack. In the south of the region a supportive crust from early March is bridging these layers making triggering unlikely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2022 4:00PM
