Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2022–Mar 9th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Wind slabs have not developed as quickly as anticipated but isolated pockets of wind slab are still a concern.

Cornices have grown large and deserve a wide safety margin.

Weather Forecast

Wed: Sunny with cloudy periods. No precipitation. Alpine high -15 C. Wind NW 10-25 km/h

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Alpine high -12. Wind light gusting to 35km/h

Friday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Wind SW 20-40km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate NW wind is redistributing surface snow & forming fresh wind slab in exposed alpine terrain. A crust down 25-40cm is decomposing but can still be found below 2300m on south aspects. A widespread weak facet layer still lurks at the bottom of the snowpack in all areas

Avalanche Summary

A natural size 2 wind slab was reported on the West aspect of Mt.Wilson. Estimated date March 6-7.

A natural size 2 cornice failure was reported on Mt. Wilcox. Estimated date March 7.

Confidence

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.