Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada lcrawley, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid wind-loaded features and areas with a shallow, thin-to-thick, snowpack where it may still be possible to trigger a slab.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A small cornice failed naturally near Fernie on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, several small, loose wet avalanches were rider-triggered on sunny slopes.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 40 cm of new and recent snow overlies predominantly crusty surfaces, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations.

A widespread, hard crust with facets above is buried down 180 cm in the Lizard Range and 80 to 120 cm elsewhere. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow, thin-to-thick snowpack at treeline and above are where it may be possible to trigger this layer. However, when a thick surface crust is present, human triggering is unlikely.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind.  Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind.  Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Partly cloudy, clearing. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Test on small slopes to see if the new snow is bonding to old surfaces.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2024 4:00PM

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