Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 19th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Human-triggered loose wet avalanches remain possible on steep slopes where surfaces remain moist.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, evidence of previous widespread natural avalanche cycle from the prolonged heat continued to be reported. It is suspected most of these avalanches are 24 to 72 hours old. Through the weekend loose wet, wet slab and persistent slab avalanche activity was observed on every aspect up to size 3. Steep rocky terrain and direct solar slopes were the most impacted.
Snowpack Summary
As temperatures slowly cool expect to find a melt-freeze crust that covers the snow surface at all elevations. Daytime heating may soften the crust in some places making surfaces moist. The exception is on direct north-facing terrain above 2000 m where the surface remained dry through the week.
The top 30 to 80 cm of the snowpack is moist snow. 100 to 250 cm down is a layer of facets overlying a crust. This layer has been the culprit for many recent large avalanches through the extended warm period. Uncertainty remains around how long this layer will persist with cooler temperatures.
Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C with freezing levels falling from 2500 to 2000m by morning.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing levels fall from 2000 m to 1500 m in the afternoon.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing levels rise from 1000 to 1500m in the afternoon.
Friday
Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing levels rise from 1000 to 1400m in the afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Concern remains for human-triggering the persistent weak layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered avalanches will be large and destructive. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Where the upper snowpack remains moist wet loose avalanches may remain reactive to human triggering in steep terrain. Be especially cautious on slopes seeing direct sun and near rock outcrops.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM
