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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2022–Mar 9th, 2022

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

Regions

South Rockies.

The eastern slopes of the Rockies are the place to be this week! New snow should stay deep and light with continued cold temperatures and light wind. Be alert to signs of slab property and instability at wind-exposed elevations and mind your sluff in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Flurries bringing up to 10 cm. Light northeast wind. Alpine low around -16 °C.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light northwest wind. Alpine high around -13 °C.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northwest wind. Alpine high around -8 °C.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate west wind. Alpine high around -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Observed avalanche activity on Tuesday was limited to size 1 skier triggered storm slab and loose dry avalanches. Little wind effect or slab property was observed in the new snow.

On Sunday, explosive control work near Elkford produced cornice, storm slab and loose dry avalanches size 1.5-2.5 on north aspects in the alpine. Good visibility allowed observation of 2-3 day old storm slabs up to size 2.5 in the Castle backcountry. In neighboring Waterton National Park, ski cuts produced storm slabs and loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5.

On Friday and Saturday, avalanche activity was predominantly loose dry up to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

The southeast corner was the winner again yesterday with 20-40 cm on the eastern slopes of the range. Elsewhere, closer to 10 cm (if any) new snow sits over a crust on steep south facing slopes and below 1500 m. The new snow has likely seen a bit of wind effect in exposed terrain at upper elevations.

Last week's snowfall amounts also varied widely through the region with as much as 50 cm in the south and as little as 10 cm in the north. Below 2100 m, a rain crust exists embedded within this snow. Below, a variety of old surfaces include a sun crust on solar aspects, and potentially weak, sugary crystals in shady areas.

The middle and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early December found near the ground. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

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.