Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 17th, 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.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Conservative decision-making is essential following a period of intense warming.
A buried weak layer in the snowpack could produce very large avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous very large persistent slab avalanches continued to fail naturally and be triggered remotely throughout the region on Saturday. Pinwheeling and loose wet activity also occurred.
Check out this MIN from the backcountry near Shames.
Snowpack Summary
Expect a surface crust at most elevations. Where the snow still feels wet, or like a slushie, avalanches are more likely to still occur.
Several persistent weak layers are buried between 90 and 180 cm deep, including hard crusts with overlying weak facets and surface hoar. These weak layers have produced avalanche activity during the last week.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Increasing cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 °C. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of +3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature high of +3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h east ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around 0 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain as temperatures increase.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Very large and destructive avalanches could reach valley bottom.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent slab avalanches are still possible after the period of warming. Continue with conservative terrain choices, and assess the snow for instability caused by warming and sun.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures and the effect of the sun may trigger loose wet avalanches. The more the snow feels like a slushie, the more likely these avalanches.
These may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 18th, 2024 4:00PM
