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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2022–Mar 2nd, 2022

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

Regions

Glacier.

As we transition out of stormy weather, use a cautious approach to gain knowledge on the upper snowpack and how it is bonding with the underlying base.

Weather Forecast

The Kootenay/Boundary region and Washington took the brunt of this storm, leaving us with unsettled flurries and gusty SW winds

Tonight: Flurries, 5cm, Alp low -5*C, gusty strong SW winds

Wed: Cloudy, isolated flurries, Alp high -4*C, FZL 1700m, light to mod gusty SW winds

Thurs: Cloud and sun, flurries, Alp high -6*C, FZL 1500m, light NE winds

Snowpack Summary

30-35cm of storm snow overlies a facet layer, small surface hoar in sheltered areas Treeline and below, and a sun crust on steep solar aspects. The Feb 15 surface hoar/sun crust is down 50-80cm and may become active with the new load, warming temps, and wind transport. Plenty of loose, dry snow up high for wind redistribution.

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle in the highway corridor Tues afternoon, with numerous paths (Tractor Shed W, Crossover, Mac #7,10, Lens) to the east spitting out sz 2.5 to 3's. Avalanche Crest had numerous low-elevation slabs with the warming.

A skier triggered sz 2 in the Connaught Path Sunday shows the new snow is not yet bonded to the underlying bed surface.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.