Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Keep an eye on the wind and new snow amounts. New snow and wind will likely build rider triggerable slabs throughout the day, be prepared to back off steep slopes as the hazard increases.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Rider triggered storm slabs continue to be reported in the region. Most avalanche activity has occurred on north and east aspects at treeline and above.
We suspect that new rider triggerable storm slabs will form throughout the day on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Storm totals average 30-50 cm of low density snow. Expect deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes, from southwest winds. In steep and sheltered terrain the low density snow has minimal slab quality and reacts as loose dry sluffing. Storm snow sits over heavily wind affected surfaces at all elevations and so far has not bonded well.
A layer of surface hoar can be found on shaded slopes, and a sun crust on sun affected slopes buried 30-70 cm deep. This interface has been noted as a failure plane for some avalanche activity.
Otherwise, the snowpack is generally well consolidated and bonding. 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
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Moderate westerly winds and a low of -10 °C at 1800 m.
Thursday
Stormy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest winds and a High of -5°C at 1800 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds and a high of -7°C at 1800 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. 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
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
Problems
Storm Slabs
storm slab size and sensitivity will likely increase as another system impacts the region throughout the day. The largest and most reactive slabs will likely be found on north and east aspects at treeline and above.
Previous storm snow rests over surface hoar and a crust. It is possible that storm slabs could run on this layer resulting in a large and destructive avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
