Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Rapid warming will increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches.

The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural and rider triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 on sunny aspects were reported on Saturday.

Data is limited in this region. Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Strong solar radiation has formed a surface crust everywhere except north facing terrian at upper elevations.

20 to 30 cm of recent snow overlies a crust on all but north facing aspects in the alpine.

A persistent weak layer of facets are sitting on top of a second buried crust down 80 to 120 cm. This layer is unlikely to human trigger in areas where a thick crust below the recent snow is present. However, steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places where it may be possible to trigger this layer with large loads.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 40 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Monday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5° C. Freezing level 2600 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7° C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1° C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

Wednesday

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Rapid warming increases the likelihood of triggering very large avalanches on deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Expect the high freezing levels and sunshine to trigger wet loose avalanches on all but true north aspects in the alpine.

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: Apr 1st, 2024 4:00PM

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