Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2019 5:16PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Watch for areas where recent snow has formed slabs, such as wind loaded terrain and slopes being hit by the sun.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light northeast wind, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.SUNDAY: Sunny, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -7 C, freezing level 1200 m.MONDAY: Clear skies with afternoon clouds, 15-30 km/h southwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -7 C, freezing level 1200 m.TUESDAY: 10-15 cm of snow, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches were reported on Saturday. On Friday, numerous small (size 1) loose dry avalanches were observed in treeline and alpine terrain, being triggered naturally and by skiers.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 to 25 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers have tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Triggering small avalanches in the recent storm snow is possible, including wind slabs at upper elevations and loose dry avalanches in steep terrain.
Be increasingly cautious on sun exposed slopes.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2019 3:00PM

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