Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2019 4:27PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs are likely to be encountered at upper elevations and may be reactive to human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm / northeast wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -11WEDNESDAY- Cloudy with isolated flurries / west wind, 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -9 / freezing level 1300 mTHURSDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest winds 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -8 / freezing level 1400 mFRIDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / southwest winds, 10-25 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1500 m

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, there were preliminary reports of several size 1 human triggered storm slab and loose snow avalanches, as well as natural and explosives triggered loose snow avalanches up to size 2.On Monday, there were reports of a few size 1 human triggered storm slab avalanches, and one natural size 2 wind slab avalanche on a northwest aspect at 2600 m.On Sunday, there were reports of natural and human triggered storm and wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 on north and southwest aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent new snow has been redistributed by southerly winds to form slabs in the lee of terrain features.
Use caution around freshly wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2019 2:00PM

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