Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2019 4:27PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

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Exercise caution as you transition into wind exposed terrain, new snow combined with southwest winds have promoted wind slab development at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / northwest wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -10THURSDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest wind, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7 / freezing level 1400 mFRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods / southwest winds 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1600 mSATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest winds, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1900 m

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, there were preliminary reports of several natural and explosives triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2, and a few human triggered loose snow avalanches to size 1.5.On Tuesday, there were reports of several size 1 human triggered wind slab and loose snow avalanches, as well as natural and explosives triggered loose snow avalanches up to size 2.On Monday, there were reports of a few size 1 human triggered wind slab avalanches, and one natural size 2 wind slab avalanche on a northwest aspect at 2600 m.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 50 to 90 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent new snow has been redistributed by southerly winds to form slabs in the lee of terrain features.
Use caution around freshly wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2019 2:00PM

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