Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Rider triggerable wind slab will likely be found in exposed terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: trace amounts of snow expected in the north and up to 10cm in the south of the region. Light to moderate southwest winds. Low of -8 at 1500 m. 

Sunday: mostly cloudy with moderate southwest wind. Freezing level around 1100 m. 5 cm of new snow expected.

Monday: cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected and moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Tuesday: cloudy with flurries bringing around 5 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Strong southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 2100 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday one skier controlled storm slab size 1 was reported in the north of the region. This avalanche ran on the mid march crust, it was on a treeline gully feature on a northeast aspect.

We suspect small natural and human triggered wind slabs will be reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab can be found on northerly aspects. a melt-freeze crust exists down 10 to 20 cm on sun-exposed aspects and at lower elevations.  

In the north of the region, a crust/facet interface from February sits 30-60 cm deep and had been most problematic on north to northeast aspects around 1900-2100 m. This layer produced a number of avalanche in early March but is now considered dormant. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slab will likely be found near ridge crests on northerly aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2022 4:00PM

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