Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada rgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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New snow on Friday will be redistributed by southwest winds.

Seek out sheltered terrain for the best riding.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday there was a report of a small natural wet loose avalanche at below treeline other than that there have not been any avalanche reports for a week now.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

New snow falling Friday will be redistributed by southwest winds. Winds this week have been from all directions so you may find new and lingering wind slabs on all aspects.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust, existing on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends to mountain tops on sunny aspects. In north-facing high alpine terrain, the surface snow may have remained cold and dry.

The mid and lower snowpack consists of a number of old crusts and facetted snow that continue to be monitored, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy, potential trace accumulation, winds southwest 20 to 30 km/h, freezing levels dropping down to 900 m.

Friday

Cloudy, 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 35 km/h gusting to 60, freezing levels up to 1200 m.

Saturday

Cloudy, 10 to 20 cm accumulation overnight and up to another 10 throughout the day, winds southwest 25 to 35 km/h, freezing level at 1000 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds southwest 15 km/h, freezing levels up to 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Snow that will start falling Friday will be redistributed by southwest winds. Expect reactive wind slabs. Winds from earlier this week were predominantly from the northeast, therefore you may find wind slabs on all aspects.

There is a potential for more than expected snow to fall in our region. In areas where you see more than 15 cm accumulate, be suspect of storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2023 4:00PM