Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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carefully assess recentsnowfall amounts as you move through terrain. Convective flurries can result in localized significant snowfall and increased hazard.

Storm slab reactivity could increase if the sun comes out.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past couple days explosives have triggered storm slabs up to size two. Ski cutting has produced up to size one avalanches also running in the most recent storm snow.

Please post your field observations and photos on the Mountain Information Network. .

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of recent storm snow sits on wind affected surfaces at all elevations. Deeper deposits exist in north and east facing terrain features due to west and southwest winds.

Check out this great MIN that discusses conditions near Fernie.

The mid-snowpack is generally well settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. These facets are slowly gaining strength and have not produced recent avalanche activity. We continue to track the layer and watch for any signs that it could wake up and produce very large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow. Light to moderate westerly winds and a low of -10°C at 1800 m.

Saturday

Clearing in the afternoon with the possibility of convective flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light southeast winds and a high of -5°C at 1800 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light to moderate southeast winds and a high of -8°C at 1800 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light southerly winds and a high of -5°C at 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of strong sun.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Ongoing snow and westerly winds will likely keep the storm slab problem sensitive to rider traffic. The largest and most reactive slabs will be found on north and east aspects.

Storm slab reactivity could increase if the sun comes out.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

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