Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 2nd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Deep Persistent Slabs.
mkoppang,
Avalanche Canada
Strong SW winds are forecast for another day before cooler temps move into the region and snow falls. Expect to encounter wind affected snow in open areas at treeline and above. Drummy feeling slabs or cracking under your skies are good indicators of skier trigger-ability.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Light snow is forecast with continued strong winds out of the SW, and temperatures around -5C with a freezing level around 1800m
Avalanche Summary
A few small windslabs up to sz 2 were observed on N and E aspects in alpine areas. Pinwheeling was also observed on steep solar aspects especially where the snowpack was thin and rocky.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread windslabs can be expected in alpine terrain and down into treeline. Warm temps also made the snow moist on steep solar aspects and a few loose wet slides were observed later in the day. Sheltered arounds at treeline and below will hold hope for good skiing but these areas are trickier and trickier to find. Starting to feel like spring out there!
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The recent snow and strong winds are building windslabs in alpine terrain and treeline areas. Forecasters were observing cracking while travelling along ridgelines on Saturday and with the more snow on sunday, we expect these slabs to continue to get more reactive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are growing at this time with the new snow, strong winds and warm temps. If they fail, its likely they will trigger a windslabs or deep persistent slab on the underlying slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
There is a small chance the new load will overload the deep layers. We are expecting a significant rapid loading pulse early in the storm. Sparsely treed areas and thin crossloaded terrain are likely areas to cause trouble.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2020 4:00PM
