Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
cgarritty,
Avalanche Canada
Dangerous conditions persist. Manage the uncertainty around buried weak layers by sticking to low-angle terrain, avoiding overhead hazard, and communicating with groups around you.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Active avalanche conditions continue!
Monday, natural avalanches to size 2 were observed on north and west facing slopes at treeline with crowns up to 1 m. Reports included more evidence of the natural cycle to size 3, likely due to sun.
On Tuesday, several observers noted a new size 2.5 slab release from Cowboy Ridge, although details of the occurrence are limited.
MIN users continue to report remotely triggered avalanches. Check out the many recent MINs from this week!
Snowpack Summary
A thin melt-freeze crust likely exists on solar aspects as a result of Tuesday's sunshine. Where crust formation hasn't inhibited wind transport, elevated winds, recently northerly, have been redistributing surface snow.
Under the evolving surface, 120 -160 cm of progressively resistant or 'right side up' storm snow is continuing to settle above the problematic crust/facet/surface hoar layer beneath it. This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers, and is most concerning at treeline elevations where weak grains like facets and surface hoar are more easily preserved.
Weather Summary
Wednesday night
Partly cloudy. 5 - 15 km/h northwest alpine winds. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Thursday
Partly sunny with increasing cloud and flurries beginning overnight. 10 - 25 km/h southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperature -6 °C with freezing level around 900 m.
Friday
Cloudy with increasing snowfall bringing 20-30 cm of new snow, including overnight amounts. 50 - 70 km/h south alpine winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level around 1200 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with continuing heavy snowfall bringing 15-20 cm of new snow and 2-day totals to 60 - 90 cm. 40 - 100 km south alpine winds, easing. Treeline temperature -4 °C with freezing level around 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow may still react as a slab in wind affected features at higher elevations. Watch for deeper and more reactive slabs near ridgelines.
Recent north winds mean new slabs may be found on a range of aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2024 4:00PM
