Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
DH,
Avalanche Canada
Natural avalanche activity may have tapered off but human triggering remains possible, expect reactive slabs in the alpine.
Give the new snow time to bond, start conservatively and watch for signs of instability before increasing your exposure.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Thursday a small natural avalanche cycle was observed up to sz 2.5, Friday a few natural avalanches up to sz 3 were observed from steep rocky terrain within the hwy corridor.
A rider triggered a sz 2.5 avalanche on Bruins Ridge on Monday. This feature has avalanched 3 times this winter on basal facets and shows the potential of triggering the deep persistent weakness in shallow areas.
Snowpack Summary
60-75cm of new snow fell this week with mod-strong SW winds forming storm slabs that sit over old wind slabs and wind affect in exposed areas, breakable crust on steep solar aspects and settled snow in sheltered areas.
The mid snowpack is generally strong while the deep persistent weakness remains, this consists of rounding facets and a decomposing crust in some locations.
Weather Summary
Convective activity will continue bringing a mix of sun and cloud with flurries to start the weekend before a calm drier trend begins for next week.
Sat: Cloudy w/ a trace of new snow, light E winds, Alp high -10*C, freezing level 700m
Sun: Mix of sun & cloud, light SE winds, Alp high -11*C, freezing level 400m
Mon: Mix of sun & cloud w/ a trace of new snow, light SE winds, Alp high -9*C, freezing level 1000m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Start with conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow with moderate to strong winds over Thursday and Friday brought the storm slab depth to 60-70cm increasing the potential for large destructive avalanches. Practice good travel habits and minimize your exposure while these slabs bond.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Watch out for your sluff in steep terrain, this may gain enough mass to push you off line and even take you for a ride.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 4th, 2023 4:00PM
