Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 27th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Small avalanches in isolated areas are still possible.Continue to evaluate the snowpack for signs of instability as you travel.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
The field team reported a few large cornice falls suspected to be a couple of days old on Wednesday. A few loose wet avalanches were reported last weekend during the warm period. During peak sunny and warm conditions, loose wet avalanches may be possible.
Whumpfing (a collapse of the buried weak layer), was reported by our field team at the Seaton area last Friday, indicating that persistent weak layers still exist in isolated areas.
Snowpack Summary
Areas near Kitimat and the coast may see up to 5 cm of new snow. Elsewhere, a thick melt-freeze crust caps the snowpack in most areas, except for high north-facing alpine slopes where some soft dry snow may still exist.
At lower elevations and on steep sunny slopes, the surface crust may soften with warming during the day, or the snowpack may be isothermal.
A weak layer of surface hoar is developing on the surface in shady areas at treeline and above.
A layer of weak, faceted crystals overlying a crust is buried 30 to 60 cm in the east of the region and 50 to 100 cm in the west. Triggering this layer has become unlikely, except in the case of shallow snowpack spots or very large loads like cornice falls.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow possible near the coast. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to around -2°C. Freezing level falling to between 700 and 900 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Friday
Sunny, 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud, 40 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Valid until: Mar 28th, 2024 4:00PM
