Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada lbaker, Avalanche Canada

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Dangerous avalanche conditions persist at higher elevations.

Human-triggered avalanche activity remains likely. Evaluate routes carefully and stick to conservative terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, the new snow was reported as reactive to skier-triggering with storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5. Two natural size 2, wind slab avalanches were reported in treeline features on a north aspect.

We expect human-triggered avalanche activity to continue throughout Monday as the snowpack adjusts to the new load.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow continues to accumulate bringing storm totals between 50 to 100 cm in some areas. Strong southerly ridgetop winds have created variable surfaces in exposed areas and built deep deposits in lee features at alpine and treeline.

The new snow sits over a layer of loose snow above a crust that exists on all but high north aspects. It is unlikely the new snow will bond well to old surfaces in areas where it overlies weak facets or surface hoar.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.

Below 1000m the upper snowpack may be moist or wet.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 20 cm of snow above the rain-snow line. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C. Freezing level around 800m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow above the rain-snow line. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline around -2 °C. Freezing level around 1000m.

Snow continues to accumulate through the night, 25-30 cm.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow above the rain-snow line. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C. Freezing level around 1000m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -5 °C. Freezing level around 600m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Plenty of storm snow and strong southwest winds have created cohesive slabs that remain reactive to human-triggering. Expect to find the deepest deposits on north and east aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2024 4:00PM