Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Evaluate conditions as you change aspect and elevation.
Wet avalanches are possible on sun affected slopes, and wind slabs remain a concern at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with light northwest winds. Freezing levels drop to valley bottom.
SUNDAY: Sunny with moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing levels rise to around 1500 m. Alpine high of -4.
MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m with up to 5cm possible. Alpine high of -5.
TUESDAY: Mostly clear with light northeast winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Alpine high of -12.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday several natural avalanches were observed to size 1 in the southern Cariboos, triggered by the sun. Mild sunny weather will likely continue to cause some wet loose avalanches on south-facing slopes and cornice failures along ridgelines.
There were two large (size 2) human-triggered slab avalanches near Valemount on Thursday. These occurred on east-facing slopes at 2200 m, and involved the top 40 cm of snow above buried surface hoar. Earlier in the week there were a few smaller (size 1) slab avalanches in the top 25 cm of storm snow.
Snowpack Summary
Soft snow may be found on sheltered north-facing slopes, but otherwise the surface has a mix of sun crusts on south-facing slopes, wind-affected snow in the alpine, and moist/crusty snow at lower elevations.
15 to 30 cm of recent storm snow is bonding quickly in most areas, but could still be poorly bonded on some steep sun-exposed slopes, wind loaded slopes, and open convexities at treeline where it may sit above buried surface hoar.
The lower snowpack is generally well bonded, with prominent crust layers 50 to 100 cm deep. While there have been some snowpack test results on weak snow around these crusts in the Blue River and Valemount areas, we do not expect avalanches on these layers under the current conditions.
Terrain and Travel
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may still be reactive to human triggers, from strong north and westerly winds. Expect loading around ridgeline features.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches will become more likely throughout the day on sun affected slopes.
Keep an eye on surface conditions as you travel. As snow becomes moist or wet, minimize your exposure and seek out other aspects.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2022 4:00PM
