Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger will increase to HIGH as new snow and wind form fresh and reactive storm slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain. We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Snowfall 5-15 cm. Wind building to strong southeast. Alpine low around -6 °C.

Tuesday: Snowfall 10-30 cm. Strong southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

Wednesday: Snowfall 5-15 cm. Moderate to strong south wind. Alpine high around -7 °C.

Thursday: Snowfall 3-10 cm. Moderate to strong southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to loose dry sluffing around size 1. Looking forward, natural and rider-triggered storm slabs will be likely during the storm on Tuesday.

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Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of new snow is forecast to fall amid strong wind Tuesday in the White Pass area. The new snow falls over settling snow from the previous storm, wind slabs in exposed areas and a sun crust on steep solar aspects.

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

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Stick to non-avalanche terrain or small features with limited consequence.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

20-40 cm of new snow is forecast to fall with strong wind in the White Pass area Tuesday. Fresh storm slabs are likely to run naturally during the storm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2022 4:00PM