Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Continually evaluate snowpack conditions as you change aspect and elevation through the day. A brief cooling trend will help reduce avalanche danger, but there are still human triggerable avalanche problems out there.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Around 5 mm of rain expected (5 cm of snow above the freezing line). Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop winds. Freezing level falling to around 1500 m, but it will likely be around 2000 m when the bulk of the snow/rain falls.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. No new precipitation expected. Light west ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1900 m.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. No new precipitation expected. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 750 m overnight, rising to 2000 m through the day.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. No new precipitation expected. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past three days, a few natural cornice failures (size 1-2) have been observed, with some initiating slab avalanches on the slope below.
Small wet loose avalanches continue to occur on south-facing aspects from solar radiation and daytime warming (up to size 1.5).
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of recent snowfall overlies 20 to 40 cm of heavy powder at upper elevations. Warm temperatures have left moist and crusty surfaces below 2000 m on all aspects and into the alpine on south-facing aspects. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
- Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall and westerly winds are expected to have formed wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have grown significantly in the past two weeks. Warm temperatures may make cause cornices to become weak. Cornice failures are dangerous on their own, but also have the potential to trigger larger avalanches on the slopes below.
Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridge-lines and minimize overhead exposure to large cornices.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Freezing levels are falling overnight, but the surface snow may not solidly refreeze. Paying close attention to how thick and supportive the surface crust is throughout the day, and sticking to shady slopes when the sun is packing a punch are good ways to avoid any wet loose avalanche problems.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 24th, 2022 4:00PM
