Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 8th, 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
A stable weather pattern with little precipitation is expected in the next few days. Lingering wind slabs will be the main concern.
Summary
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY Night: Clear with cloudy periods, light northwest wind, treeline temperature -5 C, freezing level 600 m.
MONDAY: Clear skies, light northwest wind, treeline temperature -3 C, freezing level 800 m.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 C, freezing level 900 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1100 m.
Avalanche Summary
Many small storm slab and loose avalanches were triggered naturally and by skiers on Friday. This occurred within the storm snow that fell on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of snow falling late last week has consolidated into a slab that reportedly did not bond well to underlying surfaces. This snow has likely gained strength. The snow fell with strong south to southwest wind, which formed wind slabs in lee terrain features.
Around 100 cm of snow overlies a layer of surface hoar on north-facing aspects near and above treeline. Although there have not been any reported avalanches on this layer, it has been found to be reactive in some snowpack tests. Check out the latest forecaster blog that offers a deeper dive into these conditions.
The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. The snowpack depth varies from around 300 to 400 cm around 1200 to 1400 m and tapering rapidly with elevation, with no snow below 700 m.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Around 20 to 30 cm of snow fell last Thursday with strong southwest wind, which formed wind slabs in lee terrain features. Be aware that cornices have also likely grown large and could fail from the weight of a human.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 9th, 2020 5:00PM
