Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 9th, 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.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.
The persistent weak layer is getting to a critical depth and the likelihood of rider triggering is increasing.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday skiers in the Blunt Range were able to ski cut size 1 slabs on north facing slopes and reported a lot of whumpfing and shooting cracks.
A size 1.5 persistent slab was triggered remotely by a snowcat in the north of the region on Friday as well.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find 20 to 35 cm of soft, fresh snow in sheltered areas. Moderate to strong winds have formed fresh, reactive slabs in leeward terrain. This new snow covers wind-affected surfaces or a crust on sun exposed slopes and at lower elevations.
There are a variety of weak layers in the upper snowpack that could produce larger avalanches. Most concerning is a layer of weak, faceted crystals sitting on a crust 40 to 80 cm below the snow surface, seen in the snow profile photo below.
The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
A mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 35 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow. 35 to 55 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southeast alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A layer of buried surface hoar or weak, sugary facets overlying a crust have the potential to create large avalanches if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New snow and ongoing southerly wind has formed reactive wind slabs. wind slab may be found further down slope due to strong winds.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 10th, 2024 5:00PM
