Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2019 3:45PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada istorm, Avalanche Canada

With a stable weather pattern conditions are mostly stable. Watch for pockets of windslab and keep an eye on slopes getting hit by strong sun.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

Little change is on the horizon.WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear, dry, cold, and light north or northeast windsTHURSDAY: Sunny, dry, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -7 C.FRIDAY: Sunny, dry, light northwest wind, alpine temperatures near -5 C.SATURDAY:  Mostly sunny, dry, light west wind, alpine temperatures near -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday in the northern part of the region there was a single report of a size 1.5 windslab releasing on facets.One small slab avalanche (size 1) was triggered remotely by a group of skiers on Sunday. It was 40 cm thick and occurred on an east aspect at 1400 m.

Snowpack Summary

Many days of outflow winds have scoured the surface in exposed terrain and formed hard wind slabs on all aspects. South facing slopes likely have crusts on the surface.Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs if triggered.The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong shifting wind has left slabs on all aspects. These slabs could be more reactive on north and west aspects where they sit above weak faceted snow.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2019 2:00PM