Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mhalik, Avalanche Canada

Email

Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features before committing to them.Human triggering remains a concern with buried persistent weak layers.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Monday, a few glide slab avalanches were observed in the Iskut area.

Sunday, several loose wet avalanches were observed on steep sunny slopes, ranging from small to large (size 1 to 2).

Saturday, three very large (size 3) persistent slab avalanches were observed in the north of the region. They occurred on south-facing alpine slopes and were likely triggered by daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

A skiff of new snow may overlie a thick widespread crust. At lower elevations, the crust may soften with warming during the day or the snowpack may be may be isothermal.Dry powder snow still exists on high north-facing alpine slopes and a weak layer of surface hoar is developing in sheltered terrain at treeline and above.

Various weak layers, including crusts, facets, and/or surface hoar exist approximately 40 to 80 cm deep. An additional crust and facet layer may be found 100 to 150+ cm below the surface. Lingering concern remains for human-triggering on these persistent weak layers.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of new snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to around -3°C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Friday

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks in the alpine and treeline where triggering a persistent weak layer is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2024 4:00PM