Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 4th, 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.
shorton,
Avalanche Canada
Enjoy the sunny weather, but remain cautious around steep sun-exposed slopes.
Summary
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies, light wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures drop to -10 C.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures reach -5 C.
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures reach -5 C.
MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 5-10 cm of snow, strong wind from the west, freezing level climbs to 1200 m with treeline temperatures reaching -3 C.
Avalanche Summary
Mild sunny weather has caused several natural wet loose avalanches on south-facing slopes and some cornice failures. There have also been a few small (size 1-1.5) human triggered slabs on north and east facing slopes over the past few days. These slabs have been in the top 20 to 30 cm of recent snow.
Snowpack Summary
Soft snow may be found on sheltered north-facing slopes, but otherwise the surface has a mix of sun crusts on south-facing slopes, wind-affected snow in the alpine, and moist/crusty snow at lower elevations. See the North Rockies field team's recent post from Renshaw for some photos. Other than some possible surface instabilities, the snowpack is strong and bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may produce avalanches on leeward terrain features, especially near ridgetops.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Periods of sunshine could initiate wet loose avalanches on south-facing slopes.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2022 4:00PM
