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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2023–Mar 13th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

New snow and moderate southwest wind may form reactive wind slabs at treeline and above.

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small (size 1.5) naturally triggered wind slabs on steep southwest aspects in the alpine were reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast snow and southwest wind is expected to form fresh wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

Below the new snow, is generally hard surfaces from extensive wind effect or a thin sun crust on steep, sunny slopes.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well settled and strong.

A weak layer of large and weak facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is of greatest concern in shallow snowpack areas in the north and east of the region.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-5 cm / Light southeast ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline around -16 C

Monday

Snow; 5-15 cm / Moderate southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -8 C

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud / Light west ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -4 C

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Moderate southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -3 C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Sheltered low elevation terrain will likely offer the best and safest riding today.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.