Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Mark Herbison,

Glacier.

New snow and strong winds will be forming reactive storm slabs.

Choose low consequence, manageable terrain and enjoy the fresh pow!

Summary

Weather Forecast

The snow continues to add up as a series of storms pass through the region with 40cm of snow so far.

10cm by Monday morning and another 10-15cm during the day. The freezing level will rise to 1500m with an alpine high of -5. Winds at ridge top will be 30-60km/hr from the South West.

Another 15-20cm by the end of the day on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

~40cm of storm snow covers a crust (March 11) up to 1500m on all aspects and up to tree line on solar aspects. The March 7 (surface hoar / crust) is buried ~50cm.The Feb 26 (surface hoar / crust) is down ~70cm. The Feb 15 surface hoar is down 90-130cm and decomposing.

Excellent snow quality in sheltered areas.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday and Sunday skiers were triggering size 1.0 storm slab and dry loose avalanches in steeper terrain. As the snow continues to fall, expect the size and sensitivity of the storm slab to increase.

Several natural storm slabs up to size 2.5 out of steep terrain along the Eastern end of the highway corridor the last two days.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs will be thicker in areas lee to the SW winds. Use caution along ridge crest and convex rolls where it may be easier to trigger the storm slab.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

In steep sheltered terrain, human triggered sluffs are running within the upper storm snow, gathering mass as they accelerate down slope.

Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

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