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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2022–Mar 17th, 2022

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Wind slab avalanches are possible at upper elevations. Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation and aspect.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern; little change is expected for several days.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Patchy clouds, no precipitation, moderate wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures drop to -8 C with freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Sunny periods in the morning then increasing cloud throughout the day, moderate to strong wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -2 C with freezing level climbing to 1800 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries easing off in the morning bringing trace amounts of snow, moderate wind from the southwest, freezing level around 1700 m.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind from the southwest, freezing level around 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity since the weekend has mostly been small wind slab and dry loose avalanches. On Tuesday there were a few size 1 to 1.5 skier-triggered slabs on the eastern slopes of the Rockies as well as some natural size 2 avalanches near Elkford (photos here).

Snowpack Summary

10 to 25 cm of recent snow should settle relatively quickly, although could remain reactive in wind-affected terrain. The surface is likely moist and crusty below roughly 1800 m. Several crusts can be found in the upper snowpack and recent observations suggest the snow is well bonded to these crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

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.