Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 28th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for small but reactive pockets of dry snow, especially in wind-affected areas.Continue to evaluate the snowpack for signs of instability as you travel.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
The field team reported a few large cornice falls suspected to be a couple of days old on Wednesday and Thursday. Last weekend, a few loose wet avalanches were reported during the warm period. As the sun pokes out and temperatures warm, loose wet avalanches may again be possible.
Snowpack Summary
Upslope conditions deposited 10-20 cm at upper elevations. A weak layer of surface hoar is developing on the surface in shady areas at treeline and above.
A thick melt-freeze crust caps the snowpack in most areas, except for high north-facing alpine slopes where dry snow prevails. At lower elevations and on steep sunny slopes, the surface crust may soften with warming during the day, or the snowpack may be isothermal.
A layer of weak, faceted crystals overlying a crust is buried 30 to 60 cm in the east of the region and 50 to 100 cm in the west. Triggering this layer has become unlikely, except in the case of shallow snowpack spots or very large loads like cornice falls.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Starry sky and patchy clouds. East ridgetop wind, 20-30 km/h. Treeline temperature low -6 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
Friday
Sunny. Southeast ridgetop wind, 5-15 km/h. Treeline temperature high -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. Northwest ridgetop wind gusting to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature high +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. West ridgetop wind gusting to 45 km/h. Treeline temperature high 0 °C. Freezing level rising above 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Where dry snow persists at upper elevations, be mindful of reactive pockets around ridgeline and lee features, particularly in areas impacted by wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM
