Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
While avalanche hazard is improving with cooling temperatures, human-triggered persistent slab avalanches remain a concern in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in the region on Thursday.
If you are heading into the backcountry please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network. We read every report!
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of snow overlies a melt-freeze crust that varies in thickness but is present at all elevations. The exception is on direct north-facing terrain above 1900 m where the snow surface remained dry through the prolonged warming. 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 was reactive to human triggering last weekend and it continues to be reactive in snow pit tests. It remains a concern on northerly aspects above 1800 m, where the layer is still possible to human-trigger.
Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mainly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing levels 1000 m.
Saturday
Mainly sunny. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing levels 1700 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing levels 1600 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing levels 1500 m.
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.
- Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
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
Loose Wet
Small wet loose avalanches may be reactive to human triggering in steep sun affected terrain if solar input is strong and the snow surface becomes moist.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
