Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Storm snow is still settling and bonding. Expect to find wind effect in exposed terrain and loose snow in sheltered areas.

Watch for changing conditions as you shift aspect and elevation.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosive control and riders produced avalanches to size 1 within the storm snow.

Reports indicate the storm snow is beginning to settle and bond, however reactivity is expected to remain in specific features.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90 cm of settling storm snow can be found overlying a widespread crust, or wind-affected surfaces at high alpine elevations. Another crust is buried around 20 cm below this. Reports suggest the snowpack is beginning to bond to these crusts, and gain strength.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated. The recent snow has improved travel conditions at lower elevations, but many obstacles, such as sticks and rocks, lurk just below the surface.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow in most areas, up to 15 cm in localised areas. 20-30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing leveldrops to 300 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow in most areas, up to 15 cm in localised areas. 20-30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing level stays around 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

15-30 cm of snow possible overnight.

Monday starts cloudy with skies clearing by afternoon. Northwest winds, 10-20 km/hr. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level hovers around 500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies with afternoon cloud increasing. 20-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level reaches 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Expect to find deeper and more reactive deposits around ridgelines, these may remain triggerable by riders for several days.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Loose snow can be found in sheltered areas, watch for storm snow gaining mass in steep features. Manage your sluff, and always have an exit plan.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2024 4:00PM