Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2024 2:30PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada jfmichaud, Avalanche Canada

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The light snow forecast for Thursday night will be warmed by the sun in the afternoon, and could create small wet looses avalanches.

The problem will be greater if the snowfall is greater than anticipated.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures during the day and refreezing at night have created a crust on the 20 to 25 cm of wet snow that fell at the start of the week. This situation is more or less amplified depending on the slope's orientation to the sun.

This wet snow rests either directly on the ground, or on a refreezing crust that is present at all elevations and on all slopes. With the warmth that accompanied the precipitation, the adhesion of the new snow to the crust is quite good. The wind has greatly redistributed the snow in the alpine region, creating great spatial variability.

The average height of the snowpack is around 100 cm, but is highly variable from sector to sector. Some slopes are back to rock...

Weather Summary

Synopsis: Some precipitation possible Thursday night before the sun returns in the afternoon.

Thursday evening and night: Light snow, 2 to 5 cm. Wind west, 10 to 20 km/h. Low -3.

Friday: Clearing in the morning. Wind northwest, 5 to 15 km/h. High -1. Freezing level at 500 m.

Saturday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -1. Freezing level at 400 m.

Sunday: Cloudy, intermittent snow. Wind south, 10 to 20 km/h. High 0. Freezing level at 600 m.

For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

The extent of the problem will depend on the amount of precipitation received and the strength of the sun's rays.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 15th, 2024 3:00PM