Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on a variety of aspects in the alpine.

Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating.

Sun crust on sunny aspects. Recent southeasterly winds formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.

These slabs are sitting on a crust that may have small facets associated with it in isolated locations.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Check out a recent North Shore Snowpack Update for a visual description of what the snowpack may look like in this region.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy / Light southeast ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline -2 C / Freezing level 600 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline 5 C / Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Increasing cloudiness / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline 3 C / Freezing level 700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries; 5-10 cm / Moderate southwest ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline 3 C / Freezing level 800 m.

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 travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on a variety of aspects in the alpine.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating. Cornice failures act as heavy triggers and can trigger large avalanches on slopes that a single rider would not trigger.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2023 4:00PM