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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 6th, 2024–Mar 7th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Glacier.

The snowpack remains primed for large human triggered avalanches. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making is essential.

Have plans to ski conservative, well-supported slopes with limited overhead exposure.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a field crew remote-triggered a sz 1 on the Feb 3 crust while approaching a snow profile site. Under the Rampart a sz 3 was observed from the last few days showing very wide propagation.

A skier-triggered a sz 2 slab on Avalanche Crest Sunday.

Last week, a group triggered a size 3 in the Camp West area, also failing on the Feb 3rd crust.

We continue to see daily reports in the region of human triggered avalanches on the Feb 3rd layer - some failing in small forest openings.

Snowpack Summary

80-140cm of settled snow sits atop sugary facets. These facets are not bonding/sticking well to the widespread, very firm Feb 3 crust. This crust is a significant persistent weak layer and will be the main layer of concern for the foreseeable future.

To add to the concerning mix, variable winds over the last 3 days have created soft wind slabs at Tree-line and above on most aspects.

Weather Summary

Cool and dry weather for the next few days, the late winter sun packs a punch and will increase the likelihood of avalanches as it warms the upper snowpack

Thurs: Cloudy with sunny periods, high -10°C, light SW winds, FZL at valley bottom.

Fri: Trace precip, high -4°C, Moderate SW winds, FZL 1300m.

Sat: 7cm, low -10°C, moderate S winds gusting to strong, FZL 1800m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, avoid terrain where triggering slopes from below is possible
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

This crust-facet combo (Feb 3rd) was created by an extended cold, clear period without snow earlier this month. 80-140cm now sits on the persistent weak layer which remains primed for human triggering (see FB video). If triggered resulting avalanches could be very large in size.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Variable winds have created wind slabs in atypical lee features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5