Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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There is still a high potential for rider triggered persistent slab avalanches. The sun may increase the likelihood of natural avalanches in the warmest part of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Large and very large rider, natural and explosives triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported throughout the region. Some avalanches have run full path to valley bottom. Many human triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered (from a distance).

Last Sunday a fatal avalanche incident occurred north of Revelstoke. It was size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 2000 m. View the report.

Snowpack Summary

A crust could be found on steep south and west facing terrain and will likely become moist with solar input. Wind slab may be found on north and east facing slopes.

50 to 120 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 80 to 160 cm deep and extends up to 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of facets above it.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 10 to 20 km/h west and northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -14°C.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. 15 to 35 km/h west and northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with 3 to 8 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of faceted grains above a crust buried 70 to 140 cm deep is a recipe for large, high-consequence avalanches. Remote triggering is an ongoing concern and means the layer is still primed for human triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind switching directions has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects. If triggered, wind slabs could step down to deeper layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2024 4:00PM