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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2022–Mar 10th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Rockies.

Use caution as you travel into wind effected terrain. Small avalanches can have big consequences in extreme terrain or when terrain traps are present. 

Confidence

High - Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: no new snow expected. Light to moderate northwest winds and a Low of -16 at 1900m. 

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow in the evening. Light to moderate west wind with a high of -6 at 1900m.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate west wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Saturday: cloudy with light dlurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Freesing levels around 1800m. Light to Moderate southwest winds.

Avalanche Summary

Observed avalanche activity on Tuesday was limited to size 1 skier triggered storm slab and loose dry avalanches. Little wind effect or slab property was observed in the new snow.

On Sunday, explosive control work near Elkford produced cornice, storm slab and loose dry avalanches size 1.5-2.5 on north aspects in the alpine. Good visibility allowed observation of 2-3 day old storm slabs up to size 2.5 in the Castle backcountry. In neighboring Waterton National Park, ski cuts produced storm slabs and loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

The southeast corner was the winner again on Monday with 20-40 cm on the eastern slopes of the range. Elsewhere, closer to 10 cm (if any) new snow sits over a crust on steep south facing slopes and below 1500 m. The new snow has likely seen a bit of wind effect in exposed terrain at upper elevations.

Last week's snowfall amounts also varied widely through the region with as much as 50 cm in the south and as little as 10 cm in the north. Below 2100 m, a rain crust exists embedded within this snow. Below, a variety of old surfaces include a sun crust on solar aspects, and potentially weak, sugary crystals in shady areas.

The middle and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early December found near the ground. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.