Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Dangerous Avalanche Conditions!

Continue to choose conservative, low consequence terrain and beware of overhead and adjacent slopes. Remote triggering is a concern.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Check out this MIN for photos of sled triggered avalanches in Allan Creek.

Human and naturally triggered avalanche activity continues throughout the region with avalanches ranging in size from 1.5 to 3.5. Some avalanches have  run full path to valley bottom. Many human triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered and also resulted in sympathetics.

We expect human triggered avalanche activity to continue.

Snowpack Summary

The wind has come from a variety of directions, wind effect could be found on all exposed terrain at higher elevations. A new crust could be found on south and west facing slopes.

40 to 80 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 120 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h south alpine wind.  Treeline temperature -12°C.

Monday

Clearing throughout the day with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 25 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature  -13°C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -13°C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -12°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of faceted grains above a crust buried 60 to 120 cm deep is a recipe for large, high-consequence avalanches. Remote triggering is an ongoing concern.

Avalanches triggered on this layer could run full path.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slab could be found on all exposed slopes at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

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