Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 22nd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Wind Slabs.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Elevated freezing levels mean that wet loose avalanches and natural cornice falls are likely to continue.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Tuesday night: Flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow at higher elevation with moderate to strong south-southwest winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.
Wednesday: Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Strong southerly winds . Freezing level around 1700 m during the day then falling to 1000m in the evening.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels rising to 1500 m.
Friday: Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow. Moderate south-southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday a natural cornice fall triggered a size three slab avalanche on the slope below. This avalanche was triggered at 1800 m on a northeast aspect, it ran full path. Several other cornice falls were reported throughout the region.
Ski cutting and explosive control produced storm and wind slab avalanches up to size two.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs can be found on north and east aspects in the alpine. Moist snow will likely be observed on all aspects and elevations. As the freezing level begins to drop a crust will likely form on all aspects and elevations.
40 to 90 cm overlies the mid March layer. This layer presents as surface hoar in shady, wind-sheltered areas and a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects below 1700 m and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. No avalanche activity has taken place on this layer recently and observations suggest the slab above is well bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Loose Wet
Elevated freezing levels mean that wet loose avalanches are still likely. size and likelihood of these avalanches could increase on south and west facing slopes in the afternoon if the sun comes out.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Ongoing winds have formed overhanging cornices. The likelihood of natural cornice falls can increase with warming and solar input Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs could still be found in high alpine terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
