Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Cornices.
JH,
Avalanche Canada
Cornice roots have been weakening with dramatic daily temperature swings. These teetering triggers could fail with gentle inputs from the weather, or the tickle of a too close tourer. Travel well back from the edge of the ridge, and cross slopes with cornices above cautiously if the winds increase.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanche activity was observed or reported in the Park on Thursday. Avalanche control using explosives was conducted in the West end of the park. 1 out of 8 shots produced a small (size 1.5) slab in a steep windloaded pocket, the remaining shots moved small amounts of surface snow.
Isolated natural avalanches were observed Wednesday along the highway corridor up to size 2.0 from the steep N facing terrain of Mt. Macdonald. Several very small solar-triggered avalanches were observed from solar aspects as well.
Snowpack Summary
Diurnal temperature fluctuations has produced crust on solar aspects, which may break down during the warmest part of the day. Isolated wind slabs can be found in the alpine.
Although generally strong, the snowpack still sits on a deep persistent weakness of rounding facets and a decomposed crust near the ground, which is unusual for this area. This layer has not been reactive since the last major snowfall (February 27th). While currently very unlikely, there may be a lingering possibility of triggering this high consequence problem in shallow unsupported snowpack areas. This will be something that professional and savvy recreational backcountry users factor in to their terrain use decisions for the remainder of the season.
Weather Summary
A low pressure center to our South will push some snow flurries our way Friday midday.
Tonight: Clear periods. Alpine low -13 °C. Light East ridgetop winds.
Friday: Mainly cloudy w/ isolated flurries. Alpine high -7 °C. Freezing level 1000m. Light, gusting moderate, E winds,
Saturday: Isolated flurries. Low -13 °C, High -7 °C. Freezing lvl 1200m. Light S winds.
Sunday: Sunny periods. Low -11 °C, High -6 °C. Freezing lvl 1300m. Light wind.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Problems
Cornices
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 10th, 2023 4:00PM
