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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2023–Mar 28th, 2023

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

North Rockies, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Monitor the wind direction and keep an eye out for blowing snow building new reactive wind slabs near ridge crests.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There was rider triggered size 2 avalanche reported on Saturday in the Hasler area. Check out the MIN report here.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 10 to 20 cm of new snow has accumulated over the past few days. Moderate winds from the northeast may redistribute this new snow and develop small, isolated wind slabs directly lee of ridges. These new wind slabs sit over a crust on solar aspects and on high north-facing terrain possibly over facets and surface hoar.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer could still be a concern in very shallow snowpack areas.

 

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear. Light northeast wind. High of -4 °C at treeline.

Tuesday

Mainly sunny. Light northwest wind. High of -2 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1500m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light variable wind. High of -3 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1500m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west wind. High of -1 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1700m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.