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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 12th, 2024–Mar 13th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Use caution as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Pockets of lingering wind slabs may still surprise riders.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported recently, but whumpfs were noticed Sunday at treeline on a north-east slope near Fraser Peak. This failure layer is suspected to be the buried surface hoar layer that produced some isolated but surprising avalanches last Wednesday.

Field observations have been limited, if you're out in the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow covers old, firm, wind-affected or crusty surfaces. Deeper deposits may exist on lee slopes. Pockets of hard wind slabs, that may not bond well to the old surface, still linger in alpine terrain.In isolated areas, buried surface hoar may be found 20 to 40 cm deep. Below 1500 m, a thick melt-freeze crust is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. The mid-pack is generally strong and bridges the weak crystals at the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth at treeline is around 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of new snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -12 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected, plus 10 cm overnight. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -6 °C

Thursday

Cloudy with 10-15 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -1 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with no precipitation. cm of new snow expected. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Lingering wind slabs may still be present in leeward terrain features. Triggering will remain possible, especially on steep, unsupported convex slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2