Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
ahanna,
Avalanche Canada
Light snowfall and strong southwesterly wind will keep wind slabs fresh Tuesday. Older wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects and may remain reactive where they sit over facets.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Monday night: 5-10 cm new snow. Freezing level dropping to 700 m. Strong southwesterly ridgetop wind.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Freezing level 900 m. Light to moderate southwesterly wind.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Moderate southerly wind.
Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to 1700 m. Southerly wind increasing to strong.
Avalanche Summary
No new reports since Saturday when natural and human triggered avalanche activity quieted down but cornices continued to be reactive to explosives size 2-2.5. Minor pinwheeling was observed on steep solar aspects in the afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
20 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including facets, spotty surface hoar in wind sheltered areas around treeline, a sun crust on steep solar aspects and a rain crust below 1500 m. Recent wind of varying direction has blown this snow into wind slabs on a variety of aspects.
A weak layer buried in mid-February is composed of a crust, facets or spotty surface hoar depending on elevation/aspect, and is now down 50-80 cm. There have been no recent avalanches reported on this layer. Large triggers, such as an avalanche in motion, cornice fall, or intense loading from snow, wind and/or a rapid rise in temperature could awaken these deeper weak layers.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Light snowfall and strong southwest wind are likely forming fresh, thin wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations. Older wind slabs may remain reactive where they sit over facets and may exist on a variety of aspects due to recent variable wind direction.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large, looming, and require extra caution under the current conditions.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2021 4:00PM
