Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 21st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for lingering wind slabs that may remain reactive to human triggering.
Use caution when the sun is directly impacting slopes, watch for surface snow turning wet and be wary of cornices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, numerous small wet loose avalanches were observed to size 1 on steep, rocky solar slopes at higher elevations.
On Sunday, several loose wet, size 2, avalanches were observed below treeline. A skier controlled, size 1, wind slab avalanche was reported at 1400 m on a northeast aspect.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Variable winds have built wind slabs on exposed terrain features near ridgetop. Below 1800 m moist snow or a refrozen melt freeze crust covers the surface. The crust extends up to 2000 m on solar aspects.
The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts.
The lower snowpack is composed of weak basal facets. This layer has produced limited recent avalanche activity, however it can quickly become active again with any significant change to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged and extensive warming.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mainly clear with cloudy periods. Moderate southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature low -5°C. Freezing levels drop to 500 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels 1400 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing levels 1200 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light northwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Storm snow has been redistributed by switching winds into deeper deposits in exposed alpine and treeline features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak, sugary faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack. Riders are most likely to trigger this layer on steep, rocky slopes where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of avalanche activity on this layer will increase during periods of rapid change to the snowpack, such as heavy snowfall, rain, or rapid warming. Cornices are also very large at this time of year and a cornice failure could trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2023 4:00PM
