Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 22nd, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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Expect forecast new snow to take time to bond to a well established hard crust.

Carefully consider your terrain choices prior to committing to steep avalanche terrain, especially those with with evidence of wind transport and loading.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the region on Monday. Backcountry users will likely see evidence of a small wet loose avalanche cycle from recent rain and solar input below treeline.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

In terrain above 1600 m up to 10 cm of preserved and wind affected dry snow is likely to exist. An established melt freeze crust can be found at elevations 1600 m and below, expect the new forecast snowfall to take a little time to bond to this old surface. At all elevations the mid and lower snowpack has a number of old melt freeze crusts that are unreactive and overall presents as consolidated, well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy periods. Moderate southwest winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature low -2°C. Freezing levels 1000 m.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with snowfall, 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. Moderate southerly winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels 800 m.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 10 cm of accumulation. Moderate north winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels rise to 800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with scattered light flurries, 1 to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate north winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels rise to 700 m.

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.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Winds slabs are expected to form and be present on all aspects just below ridgetops and areas that transition into convex features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

The upper snowpack continues to adjust to the recent spring-like weather. As temperatures cool and clouds obscure the sun, expect small loose wet avalanches to continue to only be reactive at lower below tree line elevation terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2023 4:00PM

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