Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Storm snow is still gaining strength, evaluate terrain and snowpack conditions as you travel.
Be most cautious on sun affected slopes, storm slabs and wet avalanches are most likely to be triggered here.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, with isolated flurries possible. Light northwest winds. Freezing levels drop to valley bottom.
SUNDAY: Strong sun with westerly winds increasing to moderate/strong late afternoon. Freezing levels reach 1300 m, alpine high of -4.
MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with moderate westerly winds. Flurries bring 3-10cm. Freezing levels reach 1300 m. Alpine high of -4.
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, with light northeast winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Alpine high of -8.
Avalanche Summary
While storm slab activity continues to taper off, recent activity indicates the impact of sun on surface weak layers.
On Friday solar input was significant, triggering large storm slabs on sun affected slopes and producing loose wet activity to size 2.5 at lower elevations. Recent avalanche activity appears to be confined to new snow, and is concentrated in the Selkirks.
A notable exception is an isolated size 3 persistent slab avalanche in the Esplanade Range on Tuesday (in the eastern Selkirks). Avalanches on persistent weak layers are now unlikely in most parts of the region based on recent weather trends and lack of avalanches, but extra caution in terrain selection is suggested for those venturing into the eastern Selkirks.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow has settled into 20 to 40 cm of heavy powder at upper elevations.
At lower elevations and on south facing slopes it has become moist and crusty (below 1800 m near Revelstoke and below 1500 m near Blue River). The storm snow sits over a crust-facet-surface hoar combination. This interface remains reactive, mostly on south facing slopes during periods of sun.
Two persistent weak layers are buried 50-100cm deep. These have shown limited reactivity recently, and reports suggest they are strengthening.
Terrain and Travel
- Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
20-40 cm of recent storm snow may continue to be reactive to human triggers in specific terrain features. This includes steep sun-exposed slopes, wind loaded slopes, and open convexities at treeline where there could be buried sun crusts or surface hoar layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches will become more likely throughout the day on sun affected slopes. Keep an eye on surface conditions as you travel. As snow becomes moist or wet, minimize your exposure and seek out other aspects.
Activity may be confined to recent settling storm snow, but could involve deeper weak layers.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2022 4:00PM
