Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Stormy conditions may continue to build new wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received reports of recent avalanche activity, although riders noted cracking of snow in wind-exposed terrain at alpine elevations.Looking forward, expect wind slabs to be touchy to human traffic in wind exposed terrain as strong wind and new snow continue to form new slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow continues to accumulate, building on the 20 to 40 cm of snow that accumulated up until Monday afternoon. Strong northwest to southwest wind is blowing this snow into wind slabs in lee terrain features. This snow overlies previously wind affected snow at higher elevations and a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. Reports suggest the snow is bonding well to these surfaces.

The middle and lower snowpack are well consolidated, containing numerous thick and hard melt-freeze crusts. We continue to track these layers but recent snowpack test results suggest that they aren't a concern.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with snowfall with periods of clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1200 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.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Snow and strong wind continue to form wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. Assess for hardened slabs in steep terrain prior to committing.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2023 4:00PM

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