Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
MM,
Avalanche Canada
Human triggered avalanches are still possible and if the sun comes out, watch for signs of instability.
Expect conditions to vary greatly with elevation and aspect.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity has decreased with cooler temperatures.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle of size 3-3.5 occurred last week. These wet avalanches failed within the moist upper snowpack and stepped down to the persistent weak layer (over 1m deep).
A field team investigated a natural, size 3 avalanche that occurred on Mar 18th, on a N aspect at tree-line. The failure plane was down ~120 cm on the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer.
Snowpack Summary
New snow buried a crust found on most aspects and elevations, except in the alpine on polar slopes. Rain created a crust below treeline, which will freeze & thaw with diurnal temperature fluctuations.
A weak layer formed on March 9th is down ~30cm. It has been preserved on N aspects at treeline and above.
The Feb 03 crust is down 80-140 cm and a weak layer of loose snow sits above it.
Weather Summary
A ridge of high pressure moves inland over the next few days & transitions to a north westerly flow on Tues.
Tonight: Clear, Alp Low: -12, Light NE winds, Freezing level (fz): Valley Bottom
Sun: Sunny, Alp High: -6, Light NE winds, fz level: 1500 m
Mon: Sunny w/ cloudy periods, Alp High: -7, Light W winds. Fz level 1400m
Tues: Cloudy/sunny periods, Alp High: -5, Light winds, fz level 1600m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
- Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two persistent layers are the main concern in the snowpack. One down ~30cm which, if triggered, could step down to the layer deeper in the snowpack. In areas with a robust crust, this is less likely of a concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 24th, 2024 4:00PM
