Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 23rd, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Keep an eye on surface conditions throughout the day. Minimize your exposure to slopes with wet and heavy snow or where the surface crust begins to break down.
Watch for pockets of wind affected snow in the alpine.
Summary
Confidence
High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast We are confident about the possible sizes of avalanches, should one release; what is less certain is the likelihood of triggering.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Skies clear overnight with light westerly winds turning easterly. Freezing levels fall to 500 m.Â
THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light to moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels reach 1500 m.Â
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southerly winds and freezing levels around 1500 m.
SATURDAY: Light to moderate snowfall overnight and throughout the day, freezing levels around 1500 m. Moderate to strong southerly winds.
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, loose wet avalanches were reported on all aspects and elevations affected by warm temperatures.
On Monday a natural cornice fall triggered a size three slab avalanche on the slope below. This avalanche was triggered at 1800 m on a northeast aspect, it ran full path. Several other cornice falls were reported throughout the region. Ski cutting and explosive control produced storm and wind slab avalanches up to size two.
Snowpack Summary
As temperatures drop, a melt freeze crust will extend into the alpine on all aspects. Expect moist snow at low elevations below the freezing line, and on south facing slopes as the sun comes out.Â
Dry snow can be found above 2000-2500 m, likely redistributed by strong southerly winds into wind loaded features on north/east facing slopes.Â
40 to 90 cm overlies the mid March interfaces. This layer exists as surface hoar in shady, wind-sheltered areas and a hard crust on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. Recent reports suggest these layers are bonding well and avalanche activity is unlikely from anything but very large loads.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs could still be found in high alpine terrain, where dry snow has been redistributed onto north and east facing slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rising freezing levels and periods of strong sunshine throughout the day will create increased likelihood of triggered wet avalanches primarily on south facing and sun affected slopes.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 24th, 2022 4:00PM
