Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 4th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Danger may reach HIGH on sun affected slopes. Sun can rapidly increase avalanche danger and may produce natural avalanche activity.
Stick to low-angle and supported terrain features
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Remotely triggered and natural avalanches continue to be reported to size 2. These avalanches continue to occur on the buried weak layers around 80 cm deep.
A notable size 3 slab avalanche was observed to have failed near the ground, around 2 m deep on a north facing slope.
Check out this MIN for a great overview of conditions around Steep Creek.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow is beginning to settle. However, reports show this storm snow is still not bonding well to the crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried 50-90 cm deep. This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers, and will take time to begin to settle and bond.
Strong sunshine is expected to create moist or wet snow on south facing slopes and increase the reactivity of weak layers.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 10-20 km/hr westerly winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom.
Tuesday
Mostly clear skies. 10-20 km/hr westerly winds. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing levels at valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mostly clear skies. 10-20 km/hr northwest winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing levels around 500 m.
Thursday
Mostly clear skies. 10-20 km/hr northwest winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing levels head towards 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Larger and more reactive slabs sit on north and east facing slopes near ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2024 4:00PM
