Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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15-25 cm of recent snow and light southwesterly wind may have formed small wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations.

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several rider triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches were reported on lee aspects at upper elevations on Friday.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of recent snow and light southwesterly wind may have formed small wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust, existing on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends to mountain tops on sunny aspects. In north facing high alpine terrain the surface snow may have remained cold and dry.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy / 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline around -5 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Sunday

Mostly cloudy / 10 km/h north ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 800 m

Monday

Sunny / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around 3 C / Freezing level 1500 m

Tuesday

Sunny / 50 km/h east ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around 4 C / Freezing level 1700 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

15-25 cm of recent snow and light southwesterly wind may have formed small wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 26th, 2023 4:00PM