Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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Hazard is trending upward as stormy conditions return to the region.

Summary

Confidence

High - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -4 C, freezing level 500 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 500 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 20 to 30 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 15 to 25 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches were reported. Avalanche activity will increase in the coming days as new slabs form. The snow may remain quite reactive if it doesn't bond well to the melt-freeze crust.

Snowpack Summary

New snow will accumulate with strong southwest wind, forming wind slabs in exposed terrain features at higher elevations. The snow will fall onto a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects up to 1500 m and to the mountain tops on sun-exposed slopes. The snow will fall onto variable wind-affected snow on northerly aspects above 1500 m.

A few other melt-freeze crusts are found in the top 100 cm of the snowpack but appear to be progressively bonding.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New slabs may start to form over the day as snow falls with southwest wind. The slabs may start small but will increase in size and sensitivity as the day progresses.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2022 4:00PM