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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2023–Mar 19th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers in isolated locations at upper elevations.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1.5 loose dry avalanches triggered by solar radiation were reported on sunny aspects at treeline and above on Friday.

A couple cornice triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 were reported on steep, northerly aspects in the alpine on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find a melt-freeze crust on the surface of all aspects at treeline and below and on sunny aspects in the alpine. Solar radiation will break down the crust on sunny slopes throughout the day.

Lingering wind slabs formed by snow and wind earlier in the week may remain reactive to human triggers in isolated locations in the alpine.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is of most significant concern in shallow snowpack areas in the north and east of the region. The most likely areas to trigger this layer are shallow, rocky areas or where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies / 10 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -8 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Sunday

Sunny / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1800 m

Monday

Sunny / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 1700 m

Tuesday

Sunny / 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1500 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.