Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Recent storm slabs likely remain triggerable by riders on Tuesday. Tune into any signs of instability like cracking, whumphing or recent avalanches as indicators to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Snowfall 15-25 cm, 40-60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday: Snowfall around 10 cm, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Wednesday: Flurries around 5 cm, 10-20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -4 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday: Snowfall bringing 20-30 cm, 30-40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -3 C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, explosives and ski cuts produced loose dry and soft slab avalanches up to size 1. On Saturday a few small to medium sized storm slabs were triggered by skiers, as reported in this MIN from Sky Pilot.

Snowpack Summary

50-80 cm of heavy, moist snow appears to be bonding well to a hard melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects up to 1500 m and to the mountain tops on sun-exposed slopes.

A few other melt-freeze crusts are found in the top 100 cm of the snowpack but appear to be progressively bonding.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Avoid steep, unsupported slopes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Recent storm slabs likely remain triggerable by riders. They most likely place to trigger a storm slab is in wind loaded terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 15th, 2022 4:00PM