Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2024 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
Natural activity continued today which tells us the snowpack needs significantly more time to sort itself out. Be patient, and don't let the blue skies lead to complacency.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect and has been extended. Click the red SPAW link for details.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Na activity continued with fresh windloading today. Most action was on east aspects, below alpine ridges and in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
No new snow overnight. Today the sun had enough punch to soften south facing snow. The moist snow surface may extend onto SW facing slopes by late afternoon. In some cases there may even be a sun crust. Steady moderate winds built fresh windslabs on easterly aspects that were avalanching naturally. Most of the action was starting immediately below ridges, but the slopes below were often triggered. Weather stations were all showing significant settlement in the last day or so. Feb 2 crust is down 70-90cm and still touchy. There is a concern for reloading on this layer. Even terrain that already avalanched could go again, especially with the new windloading. The deeper layers are once again with us and a consideration at treeline and above.
Weather Summary
Light cloud cover in the morning will give way to blue skies by late morning. Temperatures will start out cold, -24 and peak at -8 by late afternoon. The sun will offer a few more degrees, possibly even enough to soften the snow. Nothing for snow and light to moderate winds at ridgetop.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New slabs, old slabs, buried slabs, laminated slabs...you name it and we have it. Watch wind loading carefully.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
New snow is overloading the Feb 2nd persistent weak layer now buried 70 100cm deep. This layer has facets above and below the crust. Remote triggering is a strong possibility.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Avalanches may step down to the weeker deep basal layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2024 3:00PM
