Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid avalanche terrain on Tuesday. Large human triggered avalanches are very likely due to heavy snowfall.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several human-triggered storm slab avalanches were reported over the weekend, including a close call on Mt Seymour on Sunday. Two snowshoers were caught in a size 2 avalanche on a south aspect at treeline. One was partially buried and the other was fully buried. Details of the avalanche can be found here and the rescue here.

Snowpack Summary

Another storm pulse on Monday night will bring 20 to 40 cm of fresh snow, with deeper deposits on wind-loaded slopes. This adds to over 100 cm of snow from the weekend that is gradually settling and strengthening. In wind-sheltered areas, the weekend's snow may have fallen on surface hoar crystals, which could make the strengthening of the storm snow slower than normal.

The lower snowpack is composed of crusts and dense bonded snow.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with heavy flurries and 20 to 40 cm of snow above 500 m. 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Flurries ease through the morning with another 5 to 15 cm of snow then cloudy in the afternoon. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C with freezing level climbing to 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

New snow and wind will form widespread and reactive storm slabs on Monday night.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

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