Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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The best areas for riding may overlap with where the wind has deposited loose snow. Check for reactive pockets around ridgelines and lee features.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Cornices are big, give them space both above and below, and expect large cornices to be fragile, especially with loading or daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

Strong south winds quickly impacted fresh snow. Expect to find wind-pressed surfaces, deeper and more reactive pockets around ridgelines, and a widespread crust in wind-scoured areas and lower elevations. Large, fragile cornices can be found on exposed ridgelines and should be given a wide berth.

In some areas, particularly in the Haines Summit, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar is buried 50-80 cm. This layer is unlikely to trigger from the weight of a rider, but concern exists with very large loads like cornice falls.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southwest ridgetop wind 30 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature low -9 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. South-southwest ridgetop wind decreasing to 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy and clearing, isolated overnight flurries. West ridgetop wind 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light and variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Strong wind has quickly impacted any loose snow. Watch for deeper and more reactive deposits around ridges and lee features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2024 4:00PM