Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 20th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Crusts on solar aspect are becoming more the norm. Dry snow, and better riding quality, will be found on the more shaded aspects, but watch for wind slabs in alpine areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy, isolated flurries. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level dropping to 700 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy, isolated flurries. Light to moderate westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 2000 m in the afternoon.
TUESDAY: Partially cloudy with light flurries. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 3300 m in the afternoon.
WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy, isolated flurries. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 3000 m in the afternoon.Â
Avalanche Summary
A few large wind slab avalanches occurred in alpine terrain on Tuesday (size 2 to 3), otherwise, avalanche activity in the past week has been limited to small wind slabs and wet loose avalanches (size 1).
Snowpack Summary
Strong southwest wind has impacted surface snow conditions at upper elevations and built windslab in lee areas. The surface is moist and crusty below 1800 m and on solar aspects into the alpine. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall and westerly winds are expected to have formed wind slabs in lee features in the alpine. Watch for areas where recent slabs are overlying a sun crust that can act as a perfect bed surface.
Cornices may have grown significantly in the past two weeks. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridge-lines and minimize overhead exposure to large cornices.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 21st, 2022 4:00PM
