Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs remain a concern at upper elevations. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.
Minimize your exposure to cornices and sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear / light to moderate northeast wind / alpine low temperature near -9
THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light west wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1400 m
FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny breaks / light to moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1700 m
SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 2300 m
Avalanche Summary
There have been reports each day this week of a few natural and/or human-triggered wind slab and dry loose avalanches, ranging between size 1-2, as well as natural size 1 loose wet avalanches on solar aspects at lower elevations.
Explosive control on Saturday produced numerous large cornice and storm slab avalanches, with 50-100 cm crown depths. Explosives also released a very large (size 3) wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect above 2000 m.
Snowpack Summary
50-100 cm of snow from the past weekend has been redistributed by recent winds, forming wind slabs on leeward slopes that remain possible to trigger. Solar aspects likely have a crust on the surface. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can act as triggers on slopes below.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas. A weak layer of facets buried in mid-February may still be found but has been gaining strength.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have redistributed storm snow into wind slabs at upper elevations. Pay attention to the pattern of wind-drifting in the terrain where you are traveling and watch for cracking or changes in snow stiffness.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2021 4:00PM
