Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.

Wind slabs have the potential to step down to the persistent slab and remote triggering is still a concern.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Check out this great MIN describing conditions near Hasler.

A few size 1 and 1.5 rider triggered persistent slab avalanches have been reported in the last couple days as well as a few size 2 natural wind slabs. We expect wind and persistent slabs to be rider triggerable.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is being redistributed by ongoing southerly winds, leaving widespread wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Numerous sun crusts exist on steep south facing slopes. The snow surface will likely become moist at low elevations.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 110 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.

The eastern portion of this region is much shallower with a highly variable and wind-affected snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

A mix of clear skies and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of  new snow. 10 to 30 km/h south alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Wednesday

Clearing throughout the day with 1 to 3 cm of new snow. 25 to 40 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow at higher elevations. 40 to 60 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets rests above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Ongoing snowfall and southerly wind have formed wind slab on northerly aspects and cross loaded others.

These avalanches have the potential to step down to deeper layers if triggered.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2024 4:00PM