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 Loose Wet.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes, especially when the sun is out. In areas where a thick supportive surface crust does not exist, large slab avalanches may be triggerable.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday a few large (size 2) loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sunny slopes near Valemount.
On Tuesday, a large (size 2) naturally triggered persistent slab was reported on a south-facing slope at treeline.
Looking ahead, in areas where you find a hard and thick surface crust, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Snowpack Summary
On shady, upper-elevation slopes, around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies previous firm surfaces. Expect a thick, supportive crust on the surface at low elevations, and on south and west-facing slopes. This crust may soften and melt during the day as it warms.
Two layers of surface hoar and sun crust may be found in the top meter of the snowpack.
A widespread crust is buried about 70 to 130 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas, creating a persistent weak layer.
The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning, except in shallow alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 15 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures drop to -10 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 15 to 20 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.
Monday
Sunny. 15 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers exist in the upper snowpack. One is down 40 cm and another down 70 to 130 cm. These layers could be reactive to human triggering in areas where the surface has not refrozen into a thick, supportive crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches and cornice falls are most likely during the warmest part of the day when the surface snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
