Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid avalanche terrain during the warmest parts of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday several natural and ski cut loose wet avalanches were triggered in the area near Big White.
Looking forward, we expect that natural avalanches will be likely, and human-triggered avalanches will be very likely.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo or two.
Snowpack Summary
During the day, frozen and crusty surface snow will melt and turn moist or slushy due to high freezing levels combined with intense sun. This will be especially prevalent on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. This will cause the avalanche hazard to rise as the day warms. High elevation shady north-facing slopes may still have some dry snow.
A widespread crust is buried 40-90 cm. In some areas, a weak layer of facets can be found above. Recent tests suggested this layer was gaining strength, and no recent avalanche activity had been reported. However, we expect the warm weather to destabilize the snowpack, and this layer could become active again.
The snowpack below this crust is strong and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Clear. No new snow expected. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature falling to 0 °C. Freezing level around 3100 m with a potential temperature inversion below 1500 m.
Saturday
Sunny. No new snow expected. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 3400 m. Treeline high around 12 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. No new snow expected. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 3200 m. Treeline high around 12 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 3100 m. Treeline high around 12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Be aware that wet activity at low elevations is a classic situation for step-down failures in deeply buried persistent weak layers.
Problems
Loose Wet
Freezing levels are rising, and the spring sun packs a punch. The chance of loose wet avalanches will increase throughout the day.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A crust with weak overlying facets is buried 40 to 90 cm. High temperatures and intense spring sun have the potential to reawaken this weak layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2024 4:00PM
