Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 9th, 2020 5:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
MBender,
Avalanche Canada
New snow forecast for Tuesday is expected to arrive with moderate to strong west and southwest wind. This will make wind slabs at upper elevations the main concern.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
MONDAY Night: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 5 cm. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine temperature around -10.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-15 cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -7. Freezing level 1000 m.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine temperature around -9. Freezing level 600 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods. Moderate to northwest wind. Alpine temperature around -11. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
There was a report of rider triggered size 2 avalanche in the Pine Pass area on Saturday at tree line on a northeast aspect. The fracture was approximately 50-70 cm deep. There was also a report of a snowmobile triggered avalanche in the Mackenzie area on the same day. There are not a lot details regarding these two events, but they were possibly triggered in wind loaded areas. Additionally the fracture depths correspond to the approximate depth of a weak layer of surface hoar that was buried near the beginning of February. This surface hoar may have become more reactive due to the snow stiffening above with wind loading.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm new snow is forecast to arrive Monday night and through Tuesday. This will add to the equivalent amount from last week. Strong west winds are expected to redistribute the new snow into lee terrain at upper elevations.
The recent snow all sits on either old wind affected snow, rain crust below 1200 m or sun crusts on south and west facing slopes.
The lower snowpack is strong and well-bonded in many parts of the region. However, given the large extent of the region it remains important to understand snowpack conditions in your local riding area.
The Pine Pass and MacKenzie areas have a weak layer of surface hoar roughly 100 cm below the surface that was a problem around treeline elevations in mid-February, but appears have gained strength since then.
The eastern slopes of the Rockies have many shallow rocky slopes that could harbour weak basal facets.
Cornices have grown large and should be given wide berth, especially if you're travelling on ridge lines.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
Problems
Wind Slabs
10-20 cm of new snow is forecast to arrive Monday night and through the day Tuesday along with moderate to strong west and southwest winds. Expect wind slabs to develop in the lee of terrain features. Avalanche danger will gradually increase through the day. In the Pine Pass and Mackenzie areas, these wind slabs are possibly adding additional load to a weak layer of surface hoar that may be found at the treeline elevation band.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2020 2:00PM
