Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Mar 14 – 15, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

15-25 cm of recent snow and moderate south wind formed wind slabs on lee aspects that may remain reactive in the alpine.

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    15-25 cm of recent snow and moderate south wind formed wind slabs on lee aspects that may remain reactive in the alpine.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2.5–4

    A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth, but large triggers such as cornice failures or smaller avalanches in motion have the potential to produce very large avalanches with surprisingly wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of recent snow and moderate south wind formed wind slabs on lee aspects that may remain reactive in the alpine.

Below the new snow, is generally hard surfaces from extensive wind effect or a thin sun crust on steep, sunny slopes.

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

A weak layer of large and weak facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is of greatest concern in shallow snowpack areas in the north and east of the region.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear skies / 30 km/h south ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline around -10 C

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -9 C

Thursday

Sunny / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -7 C

Friday

Sunny / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -3 C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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