Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Cornices and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Limit exposure to slopes with cornices above. The likelihood of cornice falls could increase when the sun comes out.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that cornice falls are particularly difficult to forecast.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Possibility of mild temperature inversion. Low of -12 at 1100 m. No new snow expected. Light southwest winds.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with light variable wind. High of -3 at 1100 m. No new snow expected.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. High of -4 at 1100 m. 

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light to moderate south winds. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday ski cutting produced wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5. Several wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were also observed. These avalanches were on steep low elevation features.

We suspect small wet loose avalanches will be observed on steep south facing features when the sun comes out.

Snowpack Summary

Around 50 cm of recent snow is settling and bonding well. Wind slabs can be found near ridge tops, below convexities and in steep or extreme terrain in the alpine. Moist snow could be observed on solar aspects when the sun comes out.

A couple of sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack but none have been identified as layers of particular concern. The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense, wind-pressed layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices have grown large recently. Give them a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges. The likelihood of cornice falls can increase with solar input.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

carefully assess steep lines for wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2022 4:00PM