Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada IJ, Avalanche Canada

Email

A return to winter with 10-20 cm of snow in the forecast will refresh the ski quality!

Watch for sluffing in steep terrain at all elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Wednesday

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow with moderate SW winds is creating windslabs in alpine lee terrain. This sits on widespread melt freeze crusts which exist everywhere except high north aspects (above 2100m). Below this, the Feb 3rd crust layer exists down ~ 50 -100 cm. Basal facets persist in thin snowpack areas and total snowpack depths range from 90-170 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

A cold front is upon us and most areas should see 10-25 cm of new snow by Thursday AM. Winds will be light to moderate and temperatures will be in the -5 to -10 range.

The system gradually leaves the area on Friday and Saturday but expect to see some residual upslope precipitation (more snow on the east side of the range). Temperatures will cool to -5 to -15 and winds will be generally light.

Click here for more weather info.

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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

10 -20 cm of new snow is forecasted to fall by Thursday morning with moderate southwest winds. This may create windslabs in alpine and isolated treeline lee features. These slabs overlie a buried melt freeze crust in many areas and will likely slide easily.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The Feb 3 crust/facet interface is down 50-100 cm. We expect this layer to strengthen as colder temperatures penetrate the snowpack, but this may take a few days to play out. A big warm-up followed by a big cool-down is generally good for snow stability.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

During the warm snap, many avalanches released on the ground resulting in large avalanches, most commonly in thin, steep, rocky terrain in the alpine. The incoming cooler temperatures will reduce the likelihood of triggering this problem, but the weak snow at the base of the snowpack remains.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2024 4:00PM

Login