Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2022 5:26PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Tim Haggarty,

Email

After a few stunning days without the west winds, they returned Sunday afternoon and should usher inĀ  cloud and a touch of snow for Monday. With diminished solar input the sensitivity of the persistent slab should diminish but keep it in mind...

Summary

Weather Forecast

A low pressure system is set to sweep down through Alberta from the NW Sunday night.. this will bring increased clouds in the morning and light snow in the afternoon. Freezing levels should just reach valley bottom and the clouds should keep solar heating at bay however expect westerly winds to continue to build into Monday morning.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of snow has solidified into a slab overlying the February 16 sun crust on steep southerly aspects. Solar heating has created new crusts on steep solar slopes. Westerly winds returned Sunday to create light wind effect on alpine slopes.

Avalanche Summary

Forecasters in the Chickadee and Boom valleys today saw evidence of slab activity on steep solar slopes: a sz 2.5 Na likely initiated Saturday right at treeline and may have reached Boom Lake while a sz 2 moist slab initiated with solar heating in one of the Chickadee paths just below the rocks at treeline to wipe out several sets of tracks...

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This crust facet layer down 30 to 40cm on steep slopes at treeline and above has produced several natural and skier triggered avalanches over the last few days. Diminishing solar inputs and cooling should decrease the sensitivity of these slabs.

  • Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2022 4:00PM