Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Flurries and gusty wind will maintain an elevated avalanche hazard. Choose simple terrain and avoid being under steep slopes and large avalanche paths.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, a large (size 2) glide slab avalanche was observed near the Coquhalla summit. Note that we have had limited field reports in this region.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 30 cm of recent snow is settling quickly. A surface crust may have formed on south and west aspects and lower elevations, wind-affected surfaces are found in open and exposed areas.
Below recent snow, 60-100 cm settling snow covers a crust/facets or surface hor and is the failure plane responsible in many recent avalanches. Reports indicate that some areas have a second crust at a similar depth. In either case, these crusts continue to produce whumpfs and concerning snowpack test results at treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday night
Scattered flurries, up to 10 cm snow. Southwest ridgetop wind 30-50 km/hr. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level dropping below 900 m.
Monday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, and up to 5 cm snow. South ridgetop wind 40 gusting to 70 km/hr. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, 5-15 cm wet snow. Southwest ridgetop wind gusting to 50 km/hr. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level around 1200 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. Southwest ridgetop wind 30-50 km/hr. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level dropping below 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Problems
Storm Slabs
South-southwest winds have formed slabs around ridges and open areas. Expect to find deeper and more reactive deposits in areas affected by wind. Small slabs may also step down triggering deeper instabilities.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small slab avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches. This problem is best managed by finding low-angle, simple terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2024 4:00PM
