Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 25th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
jpercival,
Avalanche Canada
A storm Thursday and Friday, delivered 30 cm of new snow that has fallen on a well established melt freeze crust.
Allow time for this new snow to settle and bond to old surfaces and carefully consider your terrain choices prior to committing to avalanche terrain, especially those areas with evidence of wind transport and loading.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, field teams observed small (size 1.5) dry loose avalanches occurring once new snow was exposed to daytime warming and solar input.
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
Thursday and Fridays snow storm delivered 20 to 30 cm of new snow. This new snow initially fell as graupel then as low density unconsolidated powder that buried a melt freeze crust. Initially the new snow did not exhibit any slab properties but daytime warming has settled and now created a slab that overlies this melt freeze crust with the graupel acting as a weak interface.
In terrain above 1600 m greater than 30 cm of preserved and wind affected dry snow is likely to exist. An established melt freeze crust can be found at elevations 1600 m and below, expect this new storm snow to take a little time to bond to this old surface. At all elevations the mid and lower snowpack has a number of old melt freeze crusts that are unreactive and overall presents as consolidated, well settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with flurries, 1 to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate north winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature -8°C. Freezing levels descend to sea level.
Sunday
Cloudy with some afternoon clearing, no new precipitation. Moderate southeast winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels rise to 1000 m.
Monday
Cloudy, becoming clear in the afternoon. No new precipitation. Moderate to strong southeast winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy, becoming clear in the afternoon. No new precipitation. Moderate to strong southeast winds at ridge top. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Problems
Storm Slabs
30 cm of new snow overlies a well established melt freeze crust on all aspects, 1600m and below. Above this elevation the new snow will overlie a variety of surfaces including 5-10 cm of preserved snow as well scoured and hard pressed surfaces.
Variable light to moderate winds both south and north are likely to begin to build wind slabs in steep areas and terrain adjacent to ridgetops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
When temperatures rise and the sun appears expect on steep south aspect terrain that a natural wet loose avalanche cycle will occur.
Even a small loose wet avalanche can push a skier into a terrain trap such as a cliff or gulley.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 26th, 2023 4:00PM
