Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 8th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
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.Â
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
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 9th, 2022 4:00PM
