Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 14th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
GS,
Avalanche Canada
Up to 30 cm has fallen in this region and will take the next 24 hours to settle. Check the bond of the new snow to the previous surface as there as surface hoar, crust and facets buried on March 12. The basal facets in this region are less pronounced then further east (weaker snowpack) and thus we expect the avalanche danger to subside more quickly here over the next several days.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in this region, but to the east in the weaker snowpack, a large, deep size 3 on Puzzle Peak crossed the standard uptrack (solar triggered probably). The Lake Louise ski area continues to trigger deep (ground) avalanches from their explosive control work. Finally, a large natural avalanche in Kananaskis Country ran over some ice climbs on Mt. Kidd.
Snowpack Summary
3-day storm totals are Sunshine 15 cm, Simpson, 13 cm, Stanley 11 cm, Bosworth 22 cm and Bow Summit 31 cm.
This new snow has fallen on a freshly buried (March 12) layer of surface hoar, facets and sun crust and in the next few days we will see how well it bonds. Generally, we expect the snowpack to settle well over the next few days as the storm snow finds its place. The basal facets are less pronounced in this region with deeper snowpack and will become less reactive over the next few days.
Weather Summary
A quiet few days of weather ahead as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region keeping skies partly cloudy with no new snow expected and light winds over the next several days. Temperatures will remain cool, with overnight lows hitting -20 in the alpine and daytime highs reaching -5 or warmer in the valley bottoms.
For a more detailed forecast click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Surface snow from the past few days of storms will settle into a slab over a new weak layer buried on March 12. Check this interface closely as we have no information on the status of this freshly buried weak layer. The next 48 hours will determine whether we have a new persistent weak layer, or not.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack inspires little confidence and will wake up with each new storm or warming event. Avoid big terrain features and be especially cautious in thin or rocky areas, where triggering is more likely. Cornice failures or smaller avalanches may act as a trigger for this layer so careful consideration of the slopes above your head is wise.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Three persistent weak layers formed in January are down 60-110 cm. Buried sun crusts on steep solar slopes present the greatest concern for triggering, however, weak facets and isolated surface hoar can be found on the same interfaces on shaded aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 15th, 2023 4:00PM
