Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jleblanc,
Avalanche Canada
Lingering wind slabs still exist in exposed, alpine terrain features.
Traveling may be challenging on hard snow surfaces at lower elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, several natural wind slab avalanches (up to size 2) were observed on steep rocky terrain or below cornices of north aspects. A group of skiers remote-triggered a size 2 avalanche on a wind-loaded convex roll in the Wheaton area on Sunday. Check out the associated MIN here.
If you go into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
A widespread surface crust likely exists up to roughly 1500 m.
At higher elevations, recent snow has been redistributed by winds from various directions. Deeper deposits of wind slabs can be found in exposed terrain.
In some areas, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar may persist, down approximately 50 to 80 cm from the surface.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly clear with no precipitation. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 0 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Saturday
Sunny with cloudy periods. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive at higher elevations. Be particularly cautious around corniced ridges, cross-loaded features, and convex rollovers where triggering is most likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 21st, 2024 4:00PM
