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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2023–Mar 26th, 2023

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

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Recent snow may be poorly bonding to the underlying surface.

Small wind slabs remain reactive in lee areas, and sluffing is likely in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small wind slabs (size 1) were easily triggered by skiers on alpine convex rolls near Fernie over the weekend.

On Friday, numerous small (size 1) natural dry loose avalanches were observed and a few skier-triggered wind slabs (size 1) occurred at treeline. Old evidence of loose wet avalanches (size 1 and 2) is still visible on steep solar terrain aspects. They were triggered by strong solar radiation, earlier this week.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar (up to 10 mm) in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled, although some test results have recently shown propagation in a persistent weak layer 70 cm below the surface near Leach Ridge. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.

Weather Summary

Unsettled weather will continue to bring scattered flurries until a ridge of high pressure invades the region early next week.

Saturday night

Isolated flurries, local amounts up to 2 to 5 cm. Low alpine temperatures of -6 °C. Light southwest ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. High alpine temperatures of -3 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1300 metres.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Lingering flurries. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light southerly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. High alpine temperatures of -3 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

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.