Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 24th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
While natural avalanche activity has tapered off in many areas, human triggering remains a concern with buried weak layers.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, three very large (size 3) persistent slab avalanches were observed in the very north of the region. They occurred on south-facing alpine slopes and were likely triggered by daytime warming.
Loose wet avalanches were also observed from steep sunny slopes, ranging from small to large (size 1 to 2).
Snowpack Summary
A thick widespread crust exists on the surface in most areas. The surface crust may soften throughout the day at lower elevations and on steep sunny slopes.
At lower elevations, the snow below the crust is likely moist or wet to the ground, or the snowpack may be isothermal.Dry powder snow still exists in northern parts of the region on north-facing alpine slopes.
A weak layer of surface hoar is developing in sheltered terrain at treeline and above.
Various weak layers, including crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar exist approximately 40 to 90 cm deep. An additional crust and facet layer may be found 150+ cm below the surface.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly clear. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to around -3 °C. Freezing level dropping to 500 m near Terrace and 300m near Stewart.
Monday
Partly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of new snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of new snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with a trace of new snow possible. 40 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Human triggering remains a concern with buried weak layers. Minimize your exposure to steep, large open slopes, especially on shallower terrain features at alpine and treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
The potential for loose wet avalanches will increase as the day warms if the surface snow becomes wet or slushy.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 25th, 2024 4:00PM
