Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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New and old wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers in exposed terrain.

Take care around ridgelines and mid slope terrain features like cross-loaded gullies. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack. We are confident about the possible sizes of avalanches, should one release; what is less certain is the likelihood of triggering.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Isolated flurries delivering around 3 cm by morning. Moderate easterly winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom. 

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm over the day. Partly cloudy with moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom, alpine high of -9.

TUESDAY: 2-8 cm of snow overnight. Partly cloudy during the day with up to 3 cm of snow, moderate southwest winds. Freezing level at valley bottom. Alpine high of -4. 

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level at valley bottom. Alpine high of -2. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported from the weekends storm. A recent MIN report noted cross loading and wind slabs on convex rolls and above treeline elevations. We expect wind loaded features such as these to be reactive to human triggers. 

If you head out into the mountains, please let us know what you see on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

Fresh windslabs are building over a previously heavily wind affected snowpack. On steep, south facing terrain wind slabs may sit over a crust, increasing reactivity. 

A secondary crust is buried 20-40cm deep on south facing terrain. This layer have not shown avalanche activity within the last week. 

The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect wind slabs on east facing terrain features. While slabs are expected to be small, they may be reactive to human triggers as they have formed over a crust on south facing slopes and on hard surfaces elsewhere. 

Avoid steep, unsupported slopes that sound drum-like or hollow. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2022 4:00PM