Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 26th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
llarson,
Avalanche Canada
Reverse loading from moderate northerly winds will develop small reactive wind slabs directly lee of ridges. Take note of the wind direction and anticipate slopes where wind slabs may exist.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No significant avalanches were reported in the past couple days.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 10 to 15 cm of new snow is being redistributed by moderate northeast winds. These new wind slabs sit over a crust on solar aspects and all aspects below 1500 m. On high north-facing terrain, these wind slabs sit over facets and surface hoar.
Check out this MIN from our field team.
The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of improving but this layer remains a significant concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with the possibility of convective flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate northwest winds and treeline temperatures of -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly clear with no new snow expected. Light northwest winds and a high of -4 °C at 1800 m.
Tuesday
Clear skies with no new snow expected. Light northwest winds and a high of -2 °C at 1800 m.
Wednesday
Increasing clouds with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and treeline temperatures of -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New small but reactive wind slabs are likely to be found near ridge crests on westerly aspects.
Aspects: South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth, but large triggers such as cornice failures or smaller avalanches in motion have the potential to produce very large avalanches with surprisingly wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 27th, 2023 4:00PM
