Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2022 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Mikey,
Avalanche Canada
Good skiing can be found at all elevations. The recent winds have created reactive wind slabs in the alpine, so route finding is the key to a safe day.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with a chance of light flurries. The morning will start out at -9c and warm up to -5c in the alpine. Winds are expected to be from the West at 40-50km/hr. The freezing level is forecast to be at 2100m.
Avalanche Summary
One size 1.5 slab avalanche was observed on the north aspect of Commonwealth peak. It was about 30-40cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
5cm of new snow brings the storm snow to around 25cm. In the alpine, there is a 20-35cm soft wind slab that is producing moderate test results and a concern for triggering. The winds were moderate and variable on Tuesday, so expect to find these wind slabs on most aspects. The Feb 19 interface(hard wind slab and crust on solar aspects) is down about 40-60cm in the Commonwealth area and is more of a concern on solar aspects. Moist snow was observed below 2000m.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Continuing snow, wind and warm temps will continue to build wind slabs at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Carefully evaluate the bond with the Feb 19th crust down 40 to 70cm. Recent wind loading will make this problem more reactive, as will periods of intense solar input.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2022 3:00PM
