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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2022–Mar 19th, 2022

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, 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

South Rockies.

Reactive wind slabs may exist at upper elevations and continue to form throughout the day. 

Be cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain and avoid freshly wind-loaded areas.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Active weather continues, with a series of frontal systems moving inland bringing light amounts of new snow.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, trace accumulation. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level 1200 m. 

SATURDAY: Snowing, trace to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to 2000 m, dropping to 1000 m overnight.

SUNDAY: Snowing, trace to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate to strong westerly winds easing in the afternoon. Freezing level rising to 1500 m, dropping to 500 m overnight.

MONDAY: Cloudy with light flurries. Moderate southwesterly winds. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

A few large wind slab avalanches occurred in alpine terrain on Tuesday (size 2 to 3), otherwise, avalanche activity since last weekend has been limited to small wind slab and dry loose avalanches (size 1).

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest wind has impacted surface snow conditions at upper elevations, while the surface is moist and crusty below 1800 m. The AvCan field team describes these variable surface conditions at York on Wednesday. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.