Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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It will likely still be warm with a mix of sun and cloud on Thursday. If the sun stays out for an extended time think about an increase in the likelihood of loose wet avalanches running in steep terrain facing the sun.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports include a few wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 and 2 in the alpine on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

There is likely a thin crust on steep slopes facing the sun right up into the alpine. Any recent new snow has been redistributed by northeast winds. On high north-facing terrain wind slabs may sit over facets and surface hoar.

The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear with cloudy periods. Light northeast wind. High of -8 °C at treeline. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. High of 1 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1900m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light to moderate southwest wind. High of -3 °C at treeline. Freezing level 1500m.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries. Moderate southwest wind. High of -4 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1300m.

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.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2023 4:00PM

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