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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2021–Mar 23rd, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

Watch for new wind slabs perched in steep, leeward terrain features in wind exposed areas at upper elevations. Mellower sheltered slopes likely offer the best skiing and riding quality.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Monday: Partly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Light to moderate northeast wind. Alpine high temperatures around -7.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light westerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Strong southwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Light southerly wind. Alpine high temperatures around -4. Freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Small natural dry loose releases from steep alpine terrain were observed in the Fernie area on Saturday. Additional light flurries and increased winds formed small but reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain on Sunday.

A large (size 2) glide slab occurred overnight Friday on a lower elevation slope on Mt. Fernie. It may have been coaxed into action by overnight rainfall. This serves as a great reminder to avoid slopes with glide cracks on them at all times. They are inherently unstable and can release at any time.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of new snow has accumulated over wind affected surfaces at higher elevations and over a mix of refrozen or still wet snow at treeline and lower. Small new wind slabs have likely formed (or will form) in leeward terrain features at exposed elevations. The snowpack is otherwise well settled and strong.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.