Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Evaluate your line for wind slabs and cornice exposure before committing to consequential terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: A trace of snow. Up to 10 cm at Haines Pass. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine low around -8 °C.

Friday: Cloudy with flurries bringing a trace. Up to 5 cm at Haines Pass. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine high around -6 °C.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine high around -9 °C.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. Light west wind. Alpine high around -11 °C.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has been minimal. A size 1.5 wind slab out of a steep couloir feature was the only report in the White Pass area on Thursday.

If you head out into the mountains, and you have photos to share, conditions to report on, or just some stoke about the good riding, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

Around 50 cm of new and recent snow is settling and bonding well. Wind slabs can be found near ridge tops, below convexities and in steep or extreme terrain in the alpine.

A couple of sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack but none have been identified as layers of particular concern. The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense, wind-pressed layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Even small cornices may have enough mass to be destructive and deadly.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Our field team is steering clear of large, unsupported, convex slopes where stiff wind slabs sit over softer snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices have grown large recently. Give them a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2022 4:00PM

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