Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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There is still a high potential for rider triggered persistent slab avalanches. The sun may increase the likelihood of natural avalanches in the warmest part of the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Human triggered avalanches continue to be reported throughout the region. Many of these avalanches have been remotely triggered. This MIN post gives a great description of the type of avalanche activity we are still seeing.

We expect this type of avalanche activity to continue.

Snowpack Summary

The wind has come from a variety of directions, wind effect could be found on all exposed terrain at higher elevations.

40 to 80 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 120 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h west or northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -15°C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Friday

Cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 25 to 40 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. 30 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of faceted grains above a crust buried 60 to 120 cm deep is a recipe for large, high-consequence avalanches. Remote triggering (from a distance) is an ongoing concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Switching winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects in exposed terrain at treeline and above. These avalanches have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2024 4:00PM

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