Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Deep Persistent Slabs.
mkoppang,
Avalanche Canada
More snow and winds are making windslabs more reactive and widespread in the alpine as well as down into treeline. These slabs will take a few days to stabilize.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Warm and windy is on deck for Monday! Winds are forecast to be around 100KPH out of the west with temps around -3C in lower elevations. No new snow is forecast and a mix of sun and cloud is expected. Sunscreen and windscreen if your headed out...
Avalanche Summary
A few sz 1-5-2 windslabs were observed on N aspects along with a few isoalted loose dry slides from steep N aspects. These windslabs were failing in the new snow and not stepping down to any deeper layers.
Snowpack Summary
Another 10cm of snow fell on Sunday giving us 25cm of recent snow. But...the winds arrived today and wow did it blow the snow around. Widespread windslabs can be expected in alpine terrain and down into treeline. Warm temps also made the snow moist on steep solar aspects and a few loose wet slides were observed later in the day. Sheltered arounds at treeline and below will hold hope for good skiing!
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The recent snow and strong winds are building windslabs in alpine terrain and treeline areas. Forecasters were observing cracking while travelling along ridgelines on Saturday and with the more snow on sunday, we expect these slabs to continue to get more reactive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are growing at this time with the new snow, strong winds and warm temps. If they fail, its likely they will trigger a windslabs or deep persistent slab on the underlying slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
There is a small chance the new load will overload the deep layers. We are expecting a significant rapid loading pulse early in the storm. Sparsely treed areas and thin crossloaded terrain are likely areas to cause trouble.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2020 4:00PM
