Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada lcrawley, Avalanche Canada

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New snow may not bond well to old crusts.

If you see greater than 20 cm of new snow, the danger rating is one step higher.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several small wet loose avalanches occurred on Tuesday out of steep slopes in the afternoon sun.

Several large (size 2) skier-accidental and skier-controlled storm slab avalanches occurred on Monday east of New Denver.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 25 cm of recent snow overlies predominantly crusty surfaces, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations.

A layer of surface hoar is buried 30-60 cm in isolated, sheltered areas at treeline.

A widespread crust with sugary facets above is buried 80-180 cm deep. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the places where it may still be possible to trigger this layer.

However, when a thick surface crust is present, human triggering this layer is unlikely.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 15 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind.  Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind.  Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind.  Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday

Mostly clear skies with up to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind.  Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Storm slabs will be most reactive where they are locally deeper because of wind loading.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2024 4:00PM

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