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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2023–Mar 24th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Continue to practice good group management, high mark steep slopes one at a time and minimize time below cornices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1-1.5 wet loose avalanches triggered by solar radiation were reported on sunny aspects at upper elevations on Monday and Tuesday as well as one large natural cornice fall which did not trigger a slab on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Expect the snow surface to change throughout the day. A crust will likely be found at treeline and below and on sun exposed slopes in the morning. Moist snow could be found on these same slopes by mid day. Light flurries may bring fresh dry snow to upper elevations.

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 could still be a concern in very shallow snowpack areas.

 

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow possible. Light southerly winds and a Low of -4°C at 1500 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light variable winds and a High of -1°C at 1500 m. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of convective flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow. Light southwest winds and a high of -2°C at 1500 m. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Moderate northeast winds and a high of -6°C at 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

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.