Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for lingering wind slabs especially around ridge crests, convexities and in steep terrain. The sun at this time of year can pack a punch so avoid exposure to cornices and watch for signs of warming on steep south aspects.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Sunday or Monday.
On Saturday, there were a few reports of storm slab avalanches, a size 2.5 triggered by a cornice fall north of Stewart and a size 1.5 accidentally triggered by a skier north of Terrace.
Snowpack Summary
Surface conditions are a mix of very wind affected snow in exposed terrain features, old wind slabs on lee aspects, sun crusts or moist snow on steep solar aspects, and preserved softer snow in sheltered areas.
A layer of small surface hoar or facets is now buried over 80 cm deep. A facet/crust layer formed in late January exists around 150 cm deep. Large avalanches were suspected to have run on this layer in mid February. Triggering these deeper layers may still be possible in places where the snowpack is shallow.
The lower snowpack is generally well consolidated but as you move further inland where the snowpack is thinner, basal instabilities linger.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate to strong southeasterly wind. Alpine low -15 ËšC
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Wind easing to light easterly. Alpine high -8 ËšC
Thursday
Mostly sunny. Light wind. Alpine high -5ËšC.
Friday
Mostly sunny. Moderate southeasterly wind. Alpine high -7 ËšC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Variability in direction of recent winds means wind slabs might be found on a variety of aspects. Many terrain features have been reverse-loaded by winds over the weekend. Older wind slabs are harder to triggered but can still deliver surprises.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 8th, 2023 4:00PM
