Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada CB, Avalanche Canada

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Seek out shaded aspects for the easiest travel and best riding.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avals obs. along the highway corridor on Friday.

Riders reported triggering small wind slabs, up to size 1.5, in steep north facing terrain off Cheops Mtn. in Connaught creek on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, isolated natural slab avalanches sized, 2, 2.5 and 3 were observed in from steep, alpine start zones on N and SE aspects.

Expect loose sluffing in steep and unsupported terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Spring convective flurries have added 10-30 cm of storm snow, which has been redistributed by wind in the alpine. Surface snow turns moist below 1700 m.

Below the storm snow is a thick crust on all aspects below 1700m and widespread on solar facing terrain.

A weak layer formed on March 9th is down ~30 cm and the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer is down 80-140 cm deep, both these layers are currently unreactive. The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

A clearing trend will continue through the weekend and into next week, with seasonal temperatures over the weekend.

Tonight: Flurries, trace amounts, Alpine temp: Low -8 °C, Light N winds, Freezing Level(FZL) valley bottom

Sat: Flurries, Snow: 5cm, alpine high -5 °C, NW winds 10km/hr, FZL 1500m

Sun: Sun/Cloud. Alp high -5 °C, NW winds 15km/hr, FZL 1600m

Mon: Sun/Cloud. Alp high -3 °C, light W winds, FZL 1800m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Spring flurries this week have added a fresh 15-40 cm of storm snow. Warm temperatures and wind effect have formed storm slabs. Use caution in steep, convex terrain and places where a strong crust sits under the storm snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

When the sun pokes out, solar warming can trigger dry loose natural avalanches are possible to likely. Loose snow below treeline will be moist/wet. Pay attention to terrain traps, where a small avalanche could have high consequences.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2024 4:00PM

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