Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2019 5:31PM

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

Avalanche Canada jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

Email
Some avalanche risk remains in the backcountry at this time. Pay particular attention to wind loaded slopes and slopes that are being impacted by the sun.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESADY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods. Dry. Alpine temperature low -8C. Light northwest winds. THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Alpine temperature high -7C. Light southwest winds gusting moderate at ridgetops.FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Alpine temperature reaching -4C. Light southwest winds gusting moderate.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Dry. Alpine temperature reaching -2C. Light southwest winds. Freezing level between 1600m and 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small (size 1-1.5) storm slabs avalanches were triggered by skiers as well as few large ones (size 2-2.5) from explosives in alpine features on various aspects recently. One report mentioned a small slide triggered on a persistent weak layer about 65 cm down on southeast slope around 2000m.

Snowpack Summary

Additional snow amounts of 5 cm Tuesday has brought storm snow totals to approximately 40 cm in this region. This storm snow is resting on a variety of surfaces, including crusts on southern aspects, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas.Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 45 and 80 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers has tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger one of these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs will remain reactive, particularly on south-facing slopes that are affected by the sun.
Be increasingly cautious on sun exposed slopes.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2019 2:00PM