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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 20th, 2024–Mar 21st, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Rossland, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.

While conditions are gradually improving with cooling temperatures, very large persistent slab avalanches may remain triggerable in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle that continued into Tuesday saw numerous loose wet avalanches up to size 3 (very large) as well as cornice failures up to size 2, on sunny aspects at all elevations.

Snowpack Summary

A skiff of new snow now sits over predominantly crusty surfaces. Dry snow may be found on high north aspects in the alpine, and moist surfaces may persist at low elevations.

A weak layer of surface hoar is buried 40-60 cm deep in isolated, sheltered areas. A widespread crust with sugary facets above is buried 80-200 cm deep. Both of these layers remain primary concerns for triggering large persistent slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Increasing cloud, flurries starting, up to 5 cm. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, around 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is buried 80 to 200 cm deep. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5