Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 21st, 2022 3:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Mikey,
Avalanche Canada
Good skiing can be found at all elevations. Quite different snowpack on solar aspects compared to polar aspects. Read on.....
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
Tuesday will bring a mixed bag of cloud, sun and light flurries, a very typical Spring day. The alpine should reach 0c, along with Moderate NW winds. Freezing level is expected to creep up to 2200m. You will feel this sooner on solar aspects.
Avalanche Summary
One size 1 slab (40cm thick) was skier triggered in a wind loaded area near the Dogleg.
Snowpack Summary
Generally a well settled snowpack on polar aspects with some wind slabs from recent winds in the alpine. Quite a different picture on steep solar aspects as there are two buried crusts approximately 40cm and 60cm down. Today the forecasters dug a pit on a SE aspects just below ridgeline and got easy test results with the surface slab sitting on a crust 40cm down. It is the time of year where the snow can change quickly, even on overcast days. Take the time to dig and evaluate carefully before committing to larger features. We did find good skiing even though the surface looked wind affected.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have created windslabs in alpine areas. The slabs are more specific in the alpine and lee features. Watch for areas where recent slabs are overlying a suncrust that can act as a perfect bed surface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Carefully evaluate the bond with the early March and Feb 19th crusts down 40 and 70cm. Recent wind loading will make this problem more reactive, as will periods of intense solar input.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2022 3:00PM
