Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Mar 18 – 19, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Begin your day early and steer clear of avalanche terrain while daytime warming and sun effect weaken a supportive surface crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Persistent slab avalanches remain possible, especially later in the day as the surface crust deteriorates and surfaces become moist from daytime warming and/or solar effect.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Expect wet loose avalanche activity to increase with daytime warming and solar effect.

    These may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several large natural persistent slab or wet slab avalanches (up to size 3) have been reported since last Friday.

Pinwheeling and loose wet avalanche activity has been reported recently, primarily in steep south-facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread melt-freeze crust exists on the surface. Expect the crust to deteriorate, and the surface snow to become moist at lower elevations and south-facing terrain throughout the day.

A layer of weak, faceted crystals over a crust, or surface hoar, remains the primary layer of concern, buried approximately 40 to 80 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 0 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Increasing cloud throughout the day. 10 to 30 km/h east ridegtop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain as temperatures increase.

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