Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2019 4:13PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

Watch for wind slabs in the alpine and sluffing in steep terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud overnight, 15-30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.MONDAY: Cloudy with flurries starting in the evening, 20-40 km/h southwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C, freezing level 1000 m.TUESDAY: Snow with accumulations of 15-25 cm, 20-40 km/h west wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C, freezing level 1200 m.WEDNESDAY: Lingering flurries with localized accumulations of 5 cm, light northwest wind, alpine high temperatures near -6 C, freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches were reported on Saturday. On Friday, numerous small (size 1) loose dry avalanches were observed in treeline and alpine terrain, being triggered naturally and by skiers.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers has tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger one of these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Increasing winds are expected to blow loose snow into fresh wind slabs at upper elevations.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2019 2:00PM

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