Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Check for pockets of wind loading in exposed terrain features at higher elevations. Be aware of drum-like, hollow sounding snow.
Slabs will be more reactive where they sit over a crust.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
A cold front approaches from the north overnight, bringing light snowfall and cold temperatures. Snowfall will favour the eastern slopes.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud with strong west/northwest winds. Isolated flurries are possible, with freezing levels at valley bottom (Western terrain may see freezing levels remain around 1000 m overnight).
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 -10.Â
WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear skies with moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom, alpine high of -10.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday and Sunday isolated naturally triggered size 2 wind slabs were reported on a variety of aspects. On Friday several natural avalanches were observed to size 1 in the southern Cariboos, triggered by the sun. As conditions cool slabs are expected to be less reactive.Â
Snowpack Summary
Strong northwest winds will redistribute snow onto south and east facing slopes. Small wind loaded pockets will build over sun crusts on south-facing slopes and wind affected alpine surfaces. A layer of surface hoar may be buried in wind-sheltered terrain features. The bond between wind distributed snow and old snow surfaces may be poor.Â
Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface to 1500 m.Â
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.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs may form overnight and into Monday.
Strong winds from the north west are expected, look for freshly loaded features on south through east facing terrain features.
Expect the greatest reactivity in sheltered south facing features, wind slabs may form over a layer of surface hoar on a sun crust.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2022 4:00PM
