Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

Email

Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. New wind slabs could form throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Friday night: trace amounts of new snow with moderate to strong southwest winds. Low of -12 at 1800m in the north and low of -3 at 1800m in the south of the region.

Saturday: a mix of sun and cloud with light flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Light southwest winds with freezing levels rising to around 1700m.

Sunday: cloudy with light precipitation bringing trace amounts of snow at higher elevations. Freezing level rising to 1900m. Light southwest winds.

Monday: light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow to higher elevations. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels rising to 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

No notable avalanches were reported on Thursday in the region.

On Wednesday one skier triggered size 1 wind slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche was triggered on a south facing slope at treeline.

Human triggered avalanche activity has largely tapered off since Friday when several riders triggered storm slabs and loose dry avalanches in the recent snow, including this remotely triggered size 1.5 near Golden.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab could be found on all aspects at treeline and above.Moist snow will likely be observed below treeline.

The late February layer is down 20 to 40cm. This layer consists of a crust on solar aspects and all aspects at lower elevations. This layer presents as facets on northerly terrain and surface hoar in sheltered treeline features.

A layer of surface hoar from late January has not produced recent avalanche activity but it can still be identified 40-50 cm deep near Golden.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New wind slabs could form overnight. Look for wind slab on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The late February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down 30cm in many parts of the region. It is a developing problem and could become more reactive with warming temperatures.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2022 4:00PM