Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 21st, 2022 4:12PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Mark Herbison,
Rising freezing level, potentially up to 2000m could increase avalanche activity at lower elevations on Tuesday. Pay attention to changing snow conditions.
Quality snow is preserved on northerly-facing slopes.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Is the season over!?! Many of the parking spots have been left empty, even as the snow continues to fall, delivering amazing conditions.
Tuesday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries with continued 20-30km/hr South West winds. The freezing level may rise up to 2000m as a warm front passes through the region. 10-15cm of snow on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
10-25cm of new snow over the last few days accompanied by moderate SW winds has likely built pockets of wind slab in the alpine. The Mar 11 sun crust is buried 50-70cm . On shaded aspects, spotty small surface hoar may be buried down ~70cm (March 7), down 90cm (Feb 26), and >1m (Feb 15). The mid to lower snowpack is settled and strong.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, several slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed from steep terrain along the highway corridor, likely being triggered by the strong South winds.
The freezing level is forecasted to rise up to 1800-2000m over the next few days which could increase avalanche activity at lower elevations.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
The combination of new snow and 25-35km/hr South West winds will likely be forming fresh wind slabs in the alpine and adding to the girth of the already large cornices.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Although natural avalanche activity has tapered, the Mar 11th sun crust has proved sensitive to skier triggering on steep solar slopes this past week.
Small surface hoar from Mar 7th may also be lingering on Northerly aspects.
- Evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
- Convex features and steep unsupported slopes on solar aspects will be most prone to triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
