Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 19th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Email

Very large persistent slab avalanches remain likely to human trigger, especially at treeline and above.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered loose wet avalanches were reported on sunny aspects at all elevations on Monday.

Additionally, one naturally triggered size 2 wet slab on an east aspect below treeline and one size 2 cornice failure were also reported.

Snowpack Summary

A weak surface crust forming overnight will break down quickly throughout the day.

Cornices have become large and looming, and are more likely to fail during periods of warming.

A widespread, hard crust down 80-200 cm with weak facets above continues to be the primary layer of concern for human triggering of very large persistent slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 20 cm of snow (above 1200m). 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 3 cm of snow. 5 to 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is down 80 to 200 cm. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM