Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Cooling temperatures are reducing the likelihood of triggering large persistent slab avalanches.

Avoid steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin-to-thick snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

0 to 5 cm of new snow overlies predominantly crusty surfaces.

A weak layer of surface hoar is down 40-60 cm in isolated, sheltered areas.

A widespread crust with sugary facets above is buried 80-200 cm deep. Both of these layers remain primary concerns for triggering large persistent slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday

Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 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 steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is buried 80 to 200 cm deep. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2024 4:00PM