Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and remain possible to human trigger.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, no new avalanches were reported in the region.
On Sunday, a size 1.5, skier remote, persistent slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect at 2200 m.
Through the prolonged warming event, avalanche activity in the region was observed up to size 4.5. Steep rocky terrain and direct solar slopes were the most impacted. Evidence of this natural avalanche cycle will still be visible to backcountry users who head into the mountains on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow covers a crust of varying thicknesses on solar aspects, moist snow below treeline and on north-facing terrain above 1900 m, dry snow. Below the crust, the upper 30 cm of the snowpack remains moist.
60 to 170 cm down is a layer of facets overlying a crust. This layer has been the culprit in recent human-triggered avalanches. It remains a concern on northerly aspects above 1800 m, where the layer may still be reactive to human triggering.
Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels 1500m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level 1600m.
Friday
Cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing levels rise from 800 to 1500m in the afternoon.
Saturday
Cloudy with 2 to 9 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing levels rise from 800 to 1300m in the afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Concern remains for human-triggering the persistent weak layer on sheltered north aspects above 1800 m. If triggered avalanches will be large and destructive. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 21st, 2024 4:00PM
