Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on steep and/or convex slopes.
Cornices are very large in many areas. Cornice failures may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloudiness / Strong northwest winds / Low of -17 / Freezing level surface.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light northwest wind / High of -7 / Freezing level surface.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / Strong west wind / High of -2 / Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
SATURDAY: Snow; 5-15 cm / Strong northwest wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 1200 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday.
A skier triggered size 1.5 wind slab was reported on a east aspect below a treeline ridgetop on Monday. The wind slab was sitting on a layer of recently buried surface hoar which resulted in wide propagation of the slab.
Riders may get surprised by widely propagating wind slabs that are sitting on crusts and/or surface hoar.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of recent snow and west/northwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. These slabs may remain more reactive on south facing slopes where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust. Below the recent snow, there may be a layer of small surface hoar that is likely most pronounced on northerly aspects or sheltered locations.
Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface.Â
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with multiple crusts throughout. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.
Terrain and Travel
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on steep and/or convex slopes; especially where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust or a weak layer of surface hoar.
Cornices are very large in many areas. Cornice failures may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 10th, 2022 4:00PM
