Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs may be small but they may slide easily on a slippery crust.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5-10 cm, 50-60 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -3 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday: Cloudy, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Monday: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5-10 cm, 60-70 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5-15 cm in most areas, 30 cm closer to the coast, 50-60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches were reported. Looking forward, new slabs are expected to progressively form as the snow accumulates. The slabs may be easy to trigger if the snow doesn't bond well to the hard melt-freeze crust.

Snowpack Summary

New snow fell with strong southwest wind. The snow sits on a widespread hard melt-freeze crust found across the region. The crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. The crust may not exist on high alpine terrain on north aspects. The new snow may not bond well to this crust.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Below treeline, snowpack depths are below threshold for avalanches in many areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Although their spatial distribution is isolated, wind slabs are reactive.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow and strong southwest wind have formed fresh wind slabs. These slabs could be touchy where the new snow sits on a hard and smooth melt-freeze crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2022 4:00PM

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