Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 8th, 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.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
Don't let good riding lure you into dangerous terrain with overhead hazards.
Triggering large slab avalanches remains possible in steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported in the last 24 hours.
Last weekend, there were several natural and human-triggered wind slabs were observed from a variety of aspects in alpine and treeline terrain as northeasterly winds impacted the region. Check out this MIN from Pine Pass on Saturday for an example.
Another MIN report from Pine Pass on Sunday shows a very large deep persistent slab from alpine terrain that was likely triggered by a cornice failure or wind-loading. This is the first observation in several weeks of deep persistent slab activity and is an indication that this layer should be on our radar, particularly in the shallower snowpack parts in the region.
A big shout out to those helping their community by posting in the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Shifting winds have redistributed any available snow into wind slabs on a variety of aspects. In sheltered areas, soft storm snow from last week can be found and will be resting on heavily wind-affected snow.
The middle of the snowpack is generally strong.
A weak layer of large and weak facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is of greatest concern in shallow snowpack areas in the north and east of the region.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation, winds easterly 30 km/h, treeline temperatures around -15 to -10 °C.
Thursday
Morning clouds giving way to sun, no accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h, treeline temperatures -15 to -10 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny, trace accumulation, winds northeast 15 km, treeline temperatures -12 to -8 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds easterly 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperatures -20 to -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable winds that have reached all elevations may have created wind slabs on all aspects as far down in elevation as below treeline.
In many areas, the wind has scoured the alpine of snow so it will be at treeline where you may encounter the most reactive wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. Large triggers such as smaller avalanches in motion or cornice failures have the potential to produce very large avalanches with wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow and rocky terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 9th, 2023 4:00PM
