Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Keep an eye out for blowing snow. If redistribution of snow is observed fresh and more reactive wind slabs are likely to form.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche observations have been limited to solar-triggered loose avalanches from steep south aspects.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface is highly variable with scoured surfaces on east aspects, wind loaded features on west aspects and sun crust on solar aspects. In sheltered terrain loose soft snow may still be available for good riding conditions. If southerly winds pick up during the day small thin wind slabs could form on northerly aspects.
Several crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 150 cm of the snowpack, but have not shown any significant avalanche activity or snowpack test results recently.
The lower snowpack consists of weak, basal facets which may become active with any rapid change in the snowpack, such as heavy loading or dramatic warming. Avoiding thin and rocky start zones is still recommended.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light to moderate easterly winds at ridge tops and a low of -10°C at 1500 m.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Light southerly winds and a high of -7°C at 1500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with a few centimeters of new snow possible. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -5°C at 1500 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds and a high of -5°C at 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous north and east winds have formed wind slabs on south and west facing slopes. As new snow arrives and the winds shift to the south it is possible that new wind slabs could form on northerly aspects.
New wind slabs will be more reactive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak, sugary crystals at the bottom of the snowpack produced large avalanches in late February. This problem may become active again with any rapid change to the snowpack, such as heavy snowfall, warming or large impacts such as cornice falls.
In general steep, shallow rocky start zones with variable snowpack depth should be avoided.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2023 4:00PM
