Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 18th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Dangerous avalanche conditions persist during the heat of the day when the snow surface is moist.
Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain and overhead hazards until cooler weather arrives.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, natural avalanche activity from prolonged heat continued to be observed, with loose wet, wet slab and persistent slab avalanche activity up to size 3. Steep rocky terrain and direct solar slopes are the most impacted.
We expect natural wet loose and persistent slab avalanche activity to continue until temperatures return to below-freezing.
Snowpack Summary
A melt-freeze crust rapidly deteriorates with daytime heating and solar input to moist or wet snow surfaces at all elevations. The exception is on direct north facing terrain above 2000 m where the surface remains dry.
The top 20 to 50 cm of the snowpack is moist snow. 100 to 250 cm down is a layer of facets overlying a crust. This layer has been the culprit for many recent large avalanches through the extended warm period.
Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mainly clear skies. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C with freezing levels remaining above 3000 m.
Tuesday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C with freezing levels falling to 2500 m in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing levels rise from 1500 m to 2000 m in the afternoon.
Thursday
Cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing levels rise from 1000 m to 1500 m in the afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid lingering or regrouping in runout zones.
Problems
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches remain reactive to human triggering in steep terrain, particularly on solar aspects or where the upper snowpack is moist. Be especially cautious on sun affected slopes near rock outcrops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Large persistent slab avalanches continue to be a concern while temperatures remain elevated. Natural activity may begin to slow with cooler temperatures, however, if triggered avalanches will be large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 19th, 2024 4:00PM
