Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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10 to 25 cm of forecast snow Saturday night may form reactive storm slabs, especially in wind affected terrain.

Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several rider triggered size 1 dry loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain at all elevations on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 25 cm of forecast low density snow Saturday night may settle into reactive storm slabs, especially in wind affected terrain. This snow overlies predominantly crusty surfaces, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations.

A weak layer of surface hoar is down 30-60 cm in isolated, sheltered areas at treeline.

A widespread crust with sugary facets above is buried 80-180 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. However, when a thick surface crust is present, human triggering this layer is unlikely.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Snow, 10 to 25 cm. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • 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.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

10 to 25 cm of forecast low density snow Saturday night may settle into reactive storm slabs, especially in wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches will begin when the new snow sees the sun for the first time.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is buried 80 to 180 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: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2024 4:00PM

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