Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slabs may remain reactive to rider triggers on a variety of aspects due to recently shifting wind direction. The air is cold but the March sun can be strong so avoid exposure to cornices and watch for signs of warming on steep south aspects. Thin rocky areas will remain a concern for triggering deeply buried weak layers in this complex snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Prior to the weekend there were numerous reports of natural wind slab and cornice-triggered avalanches up to size 2.

Over a week ago, several large deep persistent slab avalanches were reported in the alpine, including a natural size 3 near Kispiox, a cornice-triggered size 2.5 at Hudson Bay and several explosive controlled size 2-3 near Ningunsaw.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of new snow may sit over extensively wind affected surfaces at upper elevations. Cornices are large and can be found on a number of aspects. A thin sun crust may be found on steep solar aspects.

In sheltered areas, 40-50 cm of settling snow may be sitting over a layer of small facets and low density snow that feels upside down.

Several other crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 150 cm of the snowpack, but have not shown any significant avalanche activity or snowpack test results recently.

The lower snowpack consists of weak, basal facets which may become active with any rapid change or shock to the snowpack, such as heavy loading or dramatic warming. Snowpack depths range from 60 to 280 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Scattered cloud. Moderate southeasterly wind. Alpine low -20 ºC.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southeasterly wind easing to light. Alpine high -17 ºC.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southeasterly wind. Alpine high -16 ºC.

Wednesday

5-10 cm of new snow. Strong southeast wind. Alpine high -12 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Strong winds have formed firm wind slabs that may be found unusually low on slopes. Recent wind has varied in direction meaning wind slabs can be found on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Weak, sugary crystals at the bottom of the snowpack produced large avalanches just over a week ago. These avalanches are most likely to be triggered by large loads such as cornice falls. However, in shallow snowpack areas they can also be triggered by the weight of a person and could propagate out to deeper snow resulting in large, destructive avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices have seen significant growth recently. They can become weak in the strong sun. Give them a wide berth whether travelling on or below ridgelines. Cornices can be dangerous on their own and they can also act as large triggers to deep slab avalanches on slopes below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2023 4:00PM

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