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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 17th, 2023–Mar 18th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Great skiing can still be found on shaded slopes.

Expect a surface crust on solar aspects in the morning, and scale back your exposure as this switches from crusty to moist/wet in the afternoon.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, we observed a few loose snow avalanches on steep solar aspects in the Highway corridor, up to size 2.5.

There was a widespread cycle of avalanche activity on steep solar aspects on Thursday. These were primarily loose snow avalanches in the size 1-2 range, with a few larger (size 3) avalanches in the steep paths off of Mt. Tupper. There was also skier triggered size 1.5 slab avalanche reported in 8812 bowl. All activity was suspected to be failing on the March 11th crust.

Field teams were able to ski cut size 1-1.5 slabs on small steep unsupported solar features (buried crust) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of recent snow is settling over a variety of old surfaces (sun crust, surface hoar and soft facetted snow). This storm snow will take longer to bond where it sits on a crust/surface hoar combo.

Below this is a generally strong snowpack, however the basal weakness of rounding facets/decomposing crust persists near the ground and should factor in to your terrain use decisions.

Weather Summary

High pressure will maintain stable weather through the weekend.

Tonight: Clear periods. Alpine low -6°C. Light Southwest ridgetop winds.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine High -5°C, freezing level (FZL) 1500m. Light S ridgetop winds.

Sunday: Sunny periods. Low -7°C, High -2°C, FZL 1800m. Light SE winds.

Monday: Mainly cloudy. Low -5°C, High -1°C, FZL 1800m. Light wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

As the sun heats up solar slopes expect the surface snow to loose stability and trigger easily in steep terrain.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Storm Slabs

The recent snow from Monday (March 11th) is sitting over a crust/surface hoar combination in some locations. This layer has been reactive in tests and to skier traffic and will become easier to trigger on solar slopes as they warm up.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5