Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 17th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Very large avalanches continue to be reported.
Avoid avalanche terrain and exposure to overhead hazard until cooler weather arrives.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity continued on Saturday, with the prolonged heat triggering avalanches up to size 3 again. Activity included persistent slabs, loose wet and wet slabs. Avalanches were most notable on thin and rocky, or sun affected slopes.
Continued persistent slab activity is expected, as well as widespread loose wet avalanches and cornice failures as warming persists.
Snowpack Summary
Wet surface snow from warm temperatures and strong sunshine on south facing features at all elevations. Dry surface snow can still be found on north facing slopes in the alpine. 60-100 cm of snow from the past week is rapidly settling with these warm temperatures. This snow is producing wet loose and slab avalanches.
A weak layer of facets and crust is buried 100-200 cm deep. Large naturally triggered avalanches have been observed on this layer within the last 2 days.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Sunny. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level remains above 3000 m.
Monday
Sunny. 10 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6 °C with freezing levels remaining above 3000 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. 20-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C with freezing levels falling to 2500 m in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light snowfall. 30-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing levels falling to 1500 m in the afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
- Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Very large avalanches have been running full path.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Very large persistent slabs have been triggered by this warm up, often running full path with wide propagation. Natural activity may begin to slow, however if triggered, avalanches are expected to be large and destructive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Continued wet loose/slab activity is expected within the surface snow as warming continues and the snowpack has little chance to refreeze overnight. Greatest concern is for sun affected slopes especially near rock outcrops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 18th, 2024 4:00PM
