Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 16th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
⚠️ Avoid avalanche terrain ⚠️Elevated temperatures in the alpine and solar input will result in a widespread natural avalanche cycle
Check out our latest blog about the forecasted warming
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, numerous natural, size 3 avalanches were observed on slopes that saw direct sun across the region. Cornice failure, solar input and warm temperatures triggered these avalanches. A few suspected machine remote avalanches were observed southeast of Revelstoke, see photo for details.
Widespread natural avalanche activity will continue over the next few days. Avoid avalanche terrain and exposure from overhead hazards as avalanches could run full path.
Snowpack Summary
Moist snow surfaces extend into the alpine on all aspects. The exception may be the high, shaded north-facing terrain where the surface remained dry.
40 to 60 cm of recent snow is settling rapidly over sun crusts and wind-affected surfaces.
Below this, two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack. One from late February and the other from early March.
A hard widespread crust formed in early February is buried about 80 to 150 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it and continues to be reactive.
The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature remains around +7°C. Freezing level between 3200 and 3500 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature high 6+°C, low +3°C. Freezing level 3200 m.
Monday
Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures high of +5°C. Freezing level between 2800 and 3200 m.
Tuesday
Mainly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures high of +2°C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Avoid lingering or regrouping in runout zones.
- Cornices may release remotely when approached.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two reactive layers exist in the upper snowpack. One is down 40 cm and the deeper one down 80 to 150 cm. We expect to see a widespread avalanche cycle on these layers with intense warming through the weekend.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Warming and periods of sun will produce widespread wet loose avalanches, especially on steep sun-exposed slopes. These may step-down and trigger deeper slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are becoming weak with above-freezing temperatures in the alpine. Cornice failure could trigger very large destructive avalanches. Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 17th, 2024 4:00PM
