Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
CB,
Avalanche Canada
The strong winds are easing off, and with that natural avalanche activity will as well.
Don't be lolled into complacency though, large destructive avalanches, especially human triggered ones, are still possible.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A number of large avalanches up to size 3 have been observed and reported over the week. The snowpack is very sensitive to small inputs of new snow, loading, and changes in temperature. These avalanches are mostly from the alpine but are running through all elevation bands.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15cm of new snow since March 1st overlies 20 to 40cm of low density facetted crystals in sheltered areas. There is extensive wind effect at tree line and above from previous SW winds.
The upper snowpack consists of 30-50 cm of settled snow or wind slab sitting on top of a generally weak mid and lower snowpack. Facets and depth hoar linger at the base of the snowpack with the height of snow varying from 60 to 160cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -12 °C.
Ridge wind east: 10-30 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -25 °C, High -15 °C.
Ridge wind southeast: 10 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous moderate to strong winds from the SW have formed wind slabs in open areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Natural avalanches continue to step down to this layer resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 4th, 2023 4:00PM
