Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 12th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
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Avalanche Canada
Recent snow and wind have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Stick to smaller, low-angle slopes.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Reports of avalanche activity have been limited. A notable size 2 persistent slab avalanche was observed in Manning Park (photo below). It likely occurred naturally over the weekend. A few small (size 1) storm and wind slab avalanches were observed over the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Tuesday's storm brought 15 to 30 cm of snow, likely forming fresh slabs at upper elevations and wind-loaded terrain. This snow sits above a thin crust on south aspects and settling powder on north aspects.
There has been evidence of two persistent weak layers roughly 80 to 120 cm deep. The upper one is a thin layer of facets and crusts or surface hoar while the deeper one is facets above a thick crust. While we have not seen many reports of persistent slab avalanches in this region, these layers should not be trusted based on notable activity in neighbouring regions.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C with freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2°C with freezing level climbing to 3000 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +8 °C with freezing level climbing to 3300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
- In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Fresh snow from Tuesday has left slabs that will likely be reactive in steep terrain, especially on wind-loaded slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small slab avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 13th, 2024 4:00PM
