Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 31st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
zryan,
Avalanche Canada
Dial back into conservative, low-consequence terrain. Friday night's new snow and wind have formed fresh, reactive slabs that may bond poorly to the underlying surface.
If you see more than 30 cm by the end of the day Saturday, treat avalanche danger as HIGH and avoid avalanche terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
In the past week, avalanche activity has been confined to small wet loose avalanches from steep solars aspects below treeline.
Conditions will change into the weekend as a cooler airmass brings 10-20 cm of new snow and southwest wind. Fresh, reactive storm slabs are expected to build on Friday night, with deeper and more reactive deposits in wind-loaded terrain.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 30 cm of new snow will have accumulated by Saturday morning, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded terrain. Below this new snow, a melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends to mountain tops on sunny aspects. In north-facing high alpine terrain, the snow may remain cold and dry.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of a number of old crusts and facetted snow that continue to be monitored, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy with snowfall, 10 to 25 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest 25 to 60 km/h. Freezing level 500 metres.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with convective flurries, 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind southwest 20 to 50 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1000 metres.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and flurries, 5 to 10 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1000 metres.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind west 10-30 km/h. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Friday night's new snow and southwest wind will build fresh, reactive storm slabs with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 1st, 2023 4:00PM
