Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Don't let new snow lure you into consequential terrain.
Where a thick surface crust is present, large slab avalanches are less likely.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a size 2 natural persistent slab avalanche was reported on a south-facing slope at treeline. The widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 continued while temperatures were warm through Monday.
Looking ahead, in areas where you find a thick surface crust, avalanche activity is becoming unlikely.
Snowpack Summary
Above 1000 m, up to 20 cm of new snow will likely overlie a firm crust. Expect to find wet surface snow at low elevations.
Two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack.
A thick and hard widespread crust, formed in early February, is buried about 70 to 130 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.
The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm, greatest in the North Selkirks, falling as snow above 1000 m. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m dropping to surface.
Thursday
Cloudy. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -4 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -8 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h north ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -8 °C.
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.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers exist in the upper snowpack. One is down 40 cm and another down 70 to 130 cm. These layers could remain reactive to human triggering in areas where the surface has not refrozen into a thick, supportive crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Fresh and reactive storm slab avalanches are possible, especially in the North Selkirks where storm totals are expected to reach 20 cm or more. These slabs are expected to be easy to trigger as they overlie a firm melt-freeze crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain-on-snow at lower elevations may produce wet loose avalanches, especially on steep slopes facing the sun. These may step-down and trigger deeper slab avalanches.
In areas where you find a thick crust, these avalanches are unlikely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 21st, 2024 4:00PM
