Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
If a thick surface crust is present, large slab avalanches are unlikely.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, a variety of human and naturally triggered avalanches were observed in the region. Most were smaller wind slabs (in the 1 to 1.5 range) with some larger persistent and loose wet avalanches.
On Wednesday, several large persistent and wet avalanches were reported, up to size 3. These avalanches are the tail end of a widespread, large natural avalanche cycle.
Snowpack Summary
There is up to 10 cm of soft snow on shady north and east-facing slopes in some parts of the region. At ridgetops, this new snow may have been blown around creating wind slabs on lee slopes. The recent snow sits on a crust at upper elevations, and the crust is expected to be at the surface below 1500 m and on sunny south and west-facing slopes.
Two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack.
A widespread crust formed in early February is buried about 80 to 150 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it, producing the previous large, natural avalanche cycle.Check out this great MIN for detailed info on snowpack conditions near Revelstoke.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with a trace of new snow possible. 15 km/h east ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -1 °C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of new snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 - 30 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 km/h south west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of - 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two persistent weak layers exist in the upper snowpack: one is buried 40 cm and the other 80 to 150 cm. Avalanche occurrences on these layers are becoming more infrequent, but the potential remains for riders to trigger them.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Variable winds have blown 10 cm of recent storm snow onto lee slopes, forming slabs that have been reactive to rider triggering recently. It may take another day or two for these wind slabs to bond.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
