Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 19th, 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
Choose mellow terrain and avoid being under steep slopes.
Where a thick surface crust is present, large slab avalanches are less likely.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Through the weekend, a widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 continued. Most reports aren't specific, as many operations didn't venture very far. Loose wet and persistent slab avalanches are most likely.
Looking ahead, in areas where you find a thick surface crust, avalanche activity is less likely.
Snowpack Summary
Above 1000 m, up to 10 cm of new snow will likely overlie a firm crust. Expect to find wet surface snow at low elevations.
Two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack. One from late February and the other from early March.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 70 to 130 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.
The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 mm, falling as snow above 1000 m. 10 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5 mm, falling as snow above 1000 m. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow to valley bottom, greatest in the North Monashees. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -6 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -8 °C. Freezing level drops to surface.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
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 remain reactive to human triggering in areas where the surface has not refrozen into a thick, supportive crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain-on-snow and warm temperatures may continue to produce wet loose avalanches, especially on steep slopes facing the sun. These may step-down and trigger deeper slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM
