Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 24th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
20 to 25 cm of recent snow and strong northwest wind have formed wind slabs at treeline and above.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Several naturally triggered dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on steep slopes in the alpine on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 25 cm of recent snow and strong northwest wind have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. This snow overlies predominantly crusty surfaces, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations.
A widespread, hard crust with facets above is buried 80 to 120 cm down in the South Rockies and up to 200 cm in the Lizard range. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer. However, when a thick surface crust is present, human triggering this layer is unlikely.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
20 to 25 cm of recent snow and strong northwest wind have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A crust with weak facets above is down 80 to 200 cm. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 25th, 2024 4:00PM
