Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 16th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Storm Slabs.
JH,
Avalanche Canada
Excellent skiing can be found on shaded slopes. Expect a surface crust on solar slopes in the morning - as this switches from crusty to moist/wet it is time to scale back your exposure.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
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 were also a few slab avalanches up to size 2.5 reported in 8812 bowl, Frequent Flyer and the West aspect of Mt. Green. All activity is 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
Building high pressure will maintain calm weather through the remainder of this week with light winds and no significant precipitation.
Tonight: Clear periods. Alpine low -6°C. Light South ridgetop winds.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine High -4°C, freezing level (FZL) 1600m. Light S ridgetop winds.
Sat: Mix of sun and cloud. Low -7°C, High -3°C, FZL 1700m. Light S winds.
Sun: Sunny periods. FZL 1800m.
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.
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
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
The recent snow from Monday is sitting over a crust or surface hoar and in some locations a combination of the two. 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: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 17th, 2023 4:00PM
