Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 14th, 2023 1:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Dvonk,
Avalanche Canada
Monday night surprised us with a welcomed 20cm. It came in as rain first and then transitioned to snow at lower elevations. Ski quality should improve with this.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Several windslabs in the bow valley corridor this morning, including miners gully, the shelf on ships prow and the bowl on Stewart Charles. None of which stepped down on the weak basal snowpack.
Of note also was a suspect Size 3 windslab that had an impressive powder cloud come off Mt kid Early afternoon.
Along the spray road, no new avalanches were observed, However visibility was not great.
Snowpack Summary
An additional 20 cm of snow overnight brings our total from this storm to 25cm. This now buries sun crusts on solar aspects (S-W) and facets and wind scoured surfaces elsewhere. Generally a weak snowpack. Natural avalanches are possible and the consequences would be significant because any trigger would likely make the entire snowpack slide.
Weather Summary
Wednesday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a few flurries here and there. Winds will be out of the NW and Moderate in strength.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Several windslabs in the Bow valley corridor this morning.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The alpine is still variable in total amounts of snow but the basal layers haven't changed. The entire lower half is either facets, or depth hoar. Thin weak areas should be treated as suspect and avoided.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 15th, 2023 4:00PM
