Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada JSmith, Avalanche Canada

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Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers; especially where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust.

Cornices are very large in many areas, minimize your exposure time below them.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light northeast winds / Low of -24 / Freezing level surface.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Light north wind / High of -10 / Freezing level surface.

THURSDAY: Increasing cloudiness / Moderate northwest wind / High of -8 / Freezing level surface.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-5 cm / Moderate west wind / High of -4 / Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Monday.

A skier triggered size 1.5 storm slab avalanche and a large natural cornice failure (size 2.5) were reported on Sunday. The cornice did not trigger any slabs on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of recent snow and west/northwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. These slabs may remain more reactive on south facing slopes where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust. Below the recent snow, there may be a layer of small surface hoar that is likely most pronounced on northerly aspects or sheltered locations.

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface to 1500 m. 

The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with prominent crust layers 50 to 100 cm deep. No recent persistent slab avalanches have been reported on these layers.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs may remain active to human triggers in isolated locations; especially where they are sitting on a slippery sun crust.

Cornices are very large in many areas, be aware of what's above your head.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2022 4:00PM