Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 17th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
ejones,
Avalanche Canada
Expect to find deposits of reactive wind slab.
A buried weak layer could mean larger-than-expected avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday a size 3 avalanche occurred near Haines, running over the highway.
A few size 1.5 wind slab avalanches were reported by the Field Team in the Nadahini area on Thursday, failing below corniced ridgeline features. Skiers were able to trigger wind slab deposits on north- and east-facing slopes near Haines Junction.
If you go into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures over the weekend may have formed a surface crust up to 1500 m.
Moderate and strong south and east winds have redistributed 30 cm of new snow. Expect to find reactive deposits in leeward terrain. Many windward features are stripped back to the ground.
A weak layer of faceted crystals or surface hoar found 50 to 80 cm deep remains a concern.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 1 cm of snow possible. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 500 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high of -2 °C. Freezing level 750 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high of -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high of -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Problems
Wind Slabs
South and east winds have formed reactive slabs. Watch for corniced ridges, cross-loaded features, and convex rollovers.
These slabs may step down to deeper layers, producing larger-than-expected avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 18th, 2024 4:00PM
