Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada TRettie, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Strong winds and blowing snow have been observed in the region.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with light to moderate southwest winds. Low of -5 at 1100 m.

Friday: Cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Saturday: Cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. moderate to strong southwest winds in the morning becoming light in the afternoon. windsHigh of -2 at 1100 m.

Sunday: stormy with up to 10cm of new snow with light to moderate south winds. High of -2 at 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday our field team observed natural dry loose avalanches on all aspects to size 1.5. While in the field they also observed wind transport and new wind slab formation.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab will likely be found on north and east aspects in exposed terrain. A crust can be found below 1200 m and on all elevations on solar aspects. This crust will likely become moist at lower elevations as the freezing level rises.

Large cornices have been observed in the region.

The middle of the snowpack is reported to be strong and well settled while the lower snowpack near the ground is reported to be faceted. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Ongoing wind and snowfall have continued to build wind slabs in exposed terrain on north and east aspects. Size and sensitivity to triggering could be greater where wind slabs have formed over a firm surface.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Large cornices have been observed in the region. Limit time traveling on slopes with these hazards above them. Avoid these slopes all together during times of warming or solar input.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2022 4:00PM