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
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy / Moderate northwest winds / Low of -20 / Freezing level surface.
THURSDAY: Increasing cloudiness / Light northwest wind / High of -7 / Freezing level surface.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Strong west wind / High of -4 / Freezing level rising to 1100 m.
SATURDAY: Flurries; 3-10 cm / Strong west wind / High of -1 / Freezing level 1300 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday.
A skier triggered size 1.5 storm slab avalanche and a large natural cornice failure (size 2.5) were reported on Sunday. The cornice did not trigger any slabs on the slope below.
Snowpack Summary
10 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 to 1500 m.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with prominent crust layers 50 to 100 cm deep. 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 active to human triggers in isolated locations; especially where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust.
Cornices are very large in many areas. Cornice failures may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 10th, 2022 4:00PM
