Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 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.
DH,
Avalanche Canada
The snowpack is primed for large human triggered avalanches, remain diligent and do not expose yourself to large slopes.
Have plans to ski conservative, well-supported slopes with limited overhead exposure. Now is not the time to challenge yourself on bold lines!
Summary
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
Wed: Mix of sun/cloud, high -14°C, light W winds, FZL at valley bottom.
Thurs: Mix of sun/cloud, high -15°C, light SW winds, FZL 800m.
Fri: Cloudy & isolated flurries, trace of new snow, low -10°C, moderate SW winds, FZL 1300m.
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.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
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
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Variable winds, initially from the SW, then switching to the NE, and then back to the W, have created wind slabs in atypical lee features. These slabs have the potential to trigger the deeper Feb 3 layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2024 4:00PM
