Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 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 TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Rider triggerable wind slab will likely be found in exposed terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels falling to 700 m.

Sunday: cloudy with moderate southerly wind. Freezing level rising to 1200 m. 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected for most of the region with some western slopes receiving as much as 30 cm.

Monday: cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations and moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels rising to 2000 m.

Tuesday: flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow to higher elevations with strong south winds. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days. We suspect rider triggerable wind slab could have been found on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new storm snow has likely formed New wind slab on northerly aspects. A widespread melt freeze crust can be found on or near the surface across the region. This crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, and may not exist on high elevation north aspects. The snowpack is considered strong and well-bonded below this crust. . 

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

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slab could be found in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. 

Storm slab could be found on all aspects treeline and above in areas that receive more then 20 cm of storm snow. 

Slab avalanches could be more sensitive to rider traffic where they have formed over a crust.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2022 4:00PM