Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2022 3:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

Avalanche Canada JMinifie, Avalanche Canada

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It's going to get sunny and warm over the weekend. This is a good time to pay close attention to what is above you. Look up! 

Summary

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

Weather Forecast

The sun will come out and freezing levels will rise through the weekend. 

Thursday night: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Winds light from the south. -7°C overnight in the alpine. 

Friday: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Light, variable winds. A high of 0°C and a low of -6°C in the alpine. Freezing levels to 1200m

Saturday: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Light winds from the north. A high of +2°C and a low of -6°C in the alpine. Freezing levels to 1700m

Sunday: Mainly clear. No precipitation. Light winds from the north. A high of +5°C and a low of -5°C in the alpine. Freezing levels could rise as high as 2400m. 

Avalanche Summary

Our field team reported two size 2 avalanches on north facing slopes that had been triggered by cornice collapses on Thursday. 

Numerous wet loose avalanches at lower elevations were reported also. 

Snowpack Summary

40-60cm of well settled and bonded snow sits above the mid-February crust. Though this layer has not produced avalanche activity, professionals in the area are still treating it with suspicion. I encourage you to do the same. The upper snowpack is moist below 1500m due to warm temperatures. Cornices are looming in alpine areas. 

The lower snowpack is well bridged by the mid-February crust and triggering avalanches below this layer is unlikely at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Cornices may release remotely when approached.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

It's been warm down low and wet loose avalanches have been reported. Expect this problem to continue with warm temperatures through the weekend and manage overhead hazard accordingly. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are waking up with warm temperatures. Cornices can be unpredictable so it's best to avoid them all together during these warm spells. 

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2022 3:00PM

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