Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 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 trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Convex terrain features with a shallow or thin-to-thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger persistent slab avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Only small dry loose avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 20 cm of new snow overlies a crust formed in mid March on all aspects except higher elevation north facing terrain where surface hoar may be present. The snow surface will become moist at lower elevations.

Numerous sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack on east through west aspects.

A widespread crust with facets above is buried 40 to 110 cm deep. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the places where it may still be possible to trigger this layer.

The base of the snowpack remains a concern in shallow rocky alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 10 to 25 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h north alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is down 40 to 110 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: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM