Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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While avalanche hazard is improving with cooling temperatures, human-triggered persistent slab avalanches remain a concern in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region.

If you are heading into the backcountry please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network. We read every report!

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies a crust capping a moist upper snowpack on all but north-facing terrain above 2000 m.

A significant crust/facet layer is buried 100 to 250 cm deep. This layer was the culprit in many very large avalanches through the extended warm period. Uncertainty remains around how long this layer will remain triggerable as temperatures cool.

Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Increasing cloud. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This weak layer has slowly been gaining strength however concern remains for human-triggering the layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered avalanches will be large and destructive.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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