Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 16th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Hazard will rise to considerable in the alpine during peak daytime heating.
Wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering primarily on northeast slopes at treeline and above.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, a few natural wind slabs were reported up to size 1 and explosive control produced several cornice falls up to size 2.5 and wind slabs to size 1.
On Tuesday, a few human-triggered storm and wind slab avalanches were reported up to size 2. Natural cornice failures and dry loose avalanches were also seen to size 1.
Natural and human triggered avalanche activity is possible throughout the weekend with rising freezing levels and solar radiation.
Snowpack Summary
Surface snow will likely become moist to ridgetop on solar aspects by the afternoon. Cornices loom over ridgelines and may become weak during periods of solar radiation and warming.
Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow seems to be settling and bonding to the old buried snow surfaces which consist of crusts on solars and faceted snow on polar aspects. However, at upper elevations shady, sheltered aspects may still host fairly unconsolidated loose snow. Strong southwest wind have formed reactive wind slabs on lee slopes at treeline and in the alpine.
Deeper in the mid-pack a couple of crusts with facets sitting above them can be found at treeline and above down 90 to 200 cm.
The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear with some cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -4. Wind southeast 10 km/hr and freezing level valley bottom.
Friday
A mix of sun. Alpine temperatures near -1 degrees. Winds south 15-30 km/hr. Freezing level 1700 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -1 degrees. Wind southeast 10-30 km/hr. Freezing level 1700 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. Winds 10-20 km/hr from the southeast. Alpine temperatures near -1 with freezing levels 1800 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.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong southwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes at treeline and above and may be reactive to human triggering.
In wind-sheltered terrain, the recent storm snow may have a poor bond to the underlying crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Strong solar radiation and rising freezing levels may weaken the surface snow creating wet loose avalanches from steep solar slopes.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Large looming cornices exist along ridgelines. Cornices become weak with daytime warming and sun exposure. Give cornices a wide berth while traveling ridgelines and avoid slopes below them.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 17th, 2023 4:00PM
