Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 24th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to practice good group management, high mark or ski steep slopes one at a time and minimize time below cornices.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Wet loose avalanches and natural cornice falls continue to be reported throughout the region. They are decreasing in size however.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a crust on all terrain except north facing slopes treeline and above. On these high northerly slopes new snow overlies facets and surface hoar to mountain tops.
30-50 cm down there is another sun crust on sunny aspects and surface hoar (3-10 mm) on isolated shady and sheltered slopes. Distribution of this surface hoar is spotty.
The remainder of the mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of improving but this layer remains a significant concern for human triggering in rocky, shallow, or thin-to-thick snowpack areas at treeline and above. Small avalanches and cornice falls also have the potential to trigger this deep layer.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light southwest winds and a low of -9°C at 1800 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with the possibility of convective flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light westerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with the possibility of flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light easterly winds and Freezing levels rising to 1800 m.
Monday
Clearing throughout the day with no new snow expected. Light westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth, but large triggers such as cornice failures or smaller avalanches in motion have the potential to produce very large avalanches with surprisingly wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 25th, 2023 4:00PM
