Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2020 5:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Storm slabs may still be reactive to human triggering. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing, cracking and recent avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / west wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -10

TUESDAY- Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7

WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / west wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6

THURSDAY- A mix of sun and cloud / west wind, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, there were several natural, human and explosives triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2. 

On Sunday, loose dry and soft slab avalanches were sensitive to human triggering and explosives avalanche control work to size 1.5. Avalanches have been 10 to 20 cm in depth, running fast and far. 

Snowpack Summary

20 to 35 cm of recent storm snow sits on buried wind slabs in exposed areas and a sun crust on solar aspects (south through west facing slopes). Melt-freeze crusts extend up to 1900 m on other aspects. 

A thick crust that has facets associated with it sits 30-60 cm below the surface. There has been only one avalanche reported on this layer since February 17th. The middle of the snowpack is generally strong, but the base of the snowpack contains weak basal facets that are most prominent in shallow rocky start zones.

Terrain and Travel

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

20 to 35 cm of snow from the past weekend has formed storm slabs that have been producing avalanches up to size 2.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2020 4:00PM