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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 6th, 2022–Mar 7th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Rockies.

Check for pockets of wind loading in exposed terrain features at higher elevations. Be aware of drum-like, hollow sounding snow. 

Slabs will be more reactive where they sit over a crust.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

A cold front approaches from the north overnight, bringing light snowfall and cold temperatures. Snowfall will favour the Kakwa-Renshaw areas.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with strong west/northwest winds. Light snowfall begins with 3 cm possible. Freezing levels drop from 1500 m to valley bottom by morning. 

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with up to 2-10 cm possible, light northerly winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high of -8.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries possible. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom with alpine highs of -12. 

WEDNESDAY: Clearing skies with moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom with alpine highs of -10. 

Avalanche Summary

Strong sun on Saturday produced loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 on sun affected slopes. 

There have also been a few small (size 1-1.5) human triggered slabs on north and east facing slopes over the past 4 days. These slabs have been in the top 20 to 30 cm of recent snow.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northwest winds will redistribute snow onto south and east facing slopes. Small wind loaded pockets will build over sun crusts on south-facing slopes and wind affected alpine surfaces. A layer of surface hoar may be buried in wind-sheltered terrain features. The bond between wind distributed snow and old snow surfaces may be poor. 

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface. 

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated with multiple crusts throughout. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs may form overnight and into Monday. 

Strong winds from the north west are expected, look for freshly loaded features on south through east facing terrain features. 

Expect the greatest reactivity in sheltered south facing features, wind slabs may form over a layer of surface hoar on a sun crust. 

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2