Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to manage buried weak layers by choosing low-angle terrain, and avoiding overhead hazard.
Minimize your exposure to south facing slopes during strong afternoon sunshine.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. Please submit a MIN report with any photos or observations that may help inform our forecasters!
A MIN report from Saturday in the Coquihalla shows reactive conditions remain, with avalanches noted on unsupported features, possibly remotely triggered.
Professionals remain concerned about the weak layers and are very cautious about stepping into avalanche terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow is beginning to settle. However, reports show this storm snow is still not bonding well to the weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried 60-100 cm deep, and a widespread crust with weak facets above buried up to 130 cm deep.
Strong sunshine is expected to create moist or wet snow on south facing slopes and may increase the reactivity of weak layers.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Clear skies with 20-30 km/h west winds. Freezing level falls to valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with increasing afternoon cloud. 10-20 km/h west winds. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level around 700 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 30-40 km/h west winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, 30-50 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperatures may reach +2 °C. Freezing level rises towards 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow may still react as a slab in wind affected features at higher elevations. Watch for deeper and more reactive slabs near ridgelines.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2024 4:00PM
