Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2020 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada William Lawson, Parks Canada

More snow and wind will heighten the avalanche danger in the region. Avoid travel in wind loaded areas and limit your exposure to overhead hazard.

Large avalanches at upper elevations can reach terrain below tree line.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Forecasted snow for Tuesday night varies from 5-30cm through the region. This pulse of snow will be accompanied by strong Westerly winds. The snow will end midday Wednesday with a short lived clearing trend Thursday. Another system will move into the region late Thursday with more snow on the way.

Snowpack Summary

New snow with strong SW winds forming new wind slab in the alpine down to tree line. Watch for buried sun crust on steep solar aspects. The Feb 1 rain crust is down 30-60 cm and present below 1900 m. Generally this area has a strong snowpack, with snow depths over 300 cm in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches observed Tuesday. Ski hills reported continued wind slab development at alpine and tree line elevations. Explosive control produced avalanches to size 1 on this new wind slab. With more snow and wind forecasted Tuesday night we will likely see continued slab development at upper elevations.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

More snow and wind will add to the wind slab problem at tree line and above. As the problem develops we will likely see natural avalanches release out of steep leeward terrain.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

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