Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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10 to 20 cm of recent snow and southwest wind have formed wind slabs reactive to human triggers in specific locations below ridgecrests.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, several natural and rider triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on mostly northerly aspects at treeline and above.

A few naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on steep, sunny slopes in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies a crust on all but north facing aspects at treeline and above where a weak layer of surface hoar may be present.

A widespread crust with facets above is buried 40 to 110 cm deep. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Weak facets at the base of the snowpack remain a concern in steep, rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8° C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3° C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

10 to 20 cm of recent snow and southwest wind have formed wind slabs reactive to human triggers in specific locations below ridgecrests.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is down 40 to 110 cm. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Expect the sunshine to trigger wet loose avalanches on sunny aspects at all elevations.

Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2024 4:00PM

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