Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continually assess snowfall amounts and watch for blowing snow. Storm and wind slabs will likely increase in reactivity throughout the day. The greatest hazard will be in areas that recieve 20 cm or more of fresh snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations in the past few days. Avalanche activity is expected to increase with increasing snowfall.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow continues to accumulate over a variety of surfaces including old wind effected snow and a sun crust on solar aspects. Wind slabs will be found on northerly aspects.
A thick, widespread crust formed in mid February now sits 50-90 cm deep. Near Mt Cain, the crust is smooth with faceted crystals sitting on top of it. Avalanche activity on this layer has now tapered off, and reports show this interface is strengthening and unlikely to be triggered by a riders weight. Riders should still avoid thin and rocky start zones where this layer will sit closer to the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well consolidated, containing a series of well-bonded crusts.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southerly winds and a low of -2°C at 1400 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -3°C at 1400 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with up to 10 cm of new snow possible. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1400 m.
Wednesday
Sunny with no new snow expected. Light westerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- As the storm slab problem gets trickier, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm snow will continue to accumulate over Monday. Watch for deeper deposits in wind loaded terrain, and steer clear of open, steep slopes in areas that see greater than 20 cm. The bond between storm snow and the old snow surface (wind affect or sun crust) is expected to be poor.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2023 4:00PM
