Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
CB,
Avalanche Canada
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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 30th, 2024 4:00PM
