Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 16th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada wlewis, Avalanche Canada

Email

⚠️ Continue to avoid avalanche terrain and exposure to any overhead hazard⚠️

Large and destructive natural avalanches continue.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity continued on Friday, with avalanches observed up to size 3.5 triggered by warming and sun. Avalanches occurred on all aspects but were most widespread on sun affected slopes.

Continued persistent slab activity is expected, as well as widespread loose wet avalanches and cornice failures as warming persists.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack is wet from warm temperatures and strong sunshine on south facing features at all elevations. Dry snow can still be found on north facing slopes in the alpine. 60-100 cm of snow from the past week is rapidly settling with these warm temperatures. This snow is producing wet loose and slab avalanches.

A weak layer of facets and crust is buried 100-2-0 cm deep. Large naturally triggered avalanches have been observed on this layer within the last 2 days.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 20-40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level remains above 3000 m overnight.

Sunday

Sunny. 10-20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +8 °C with freezing level steady at 3300 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6 °C with freezing levels remaining above 3000 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +5 °C with freezing levels falling to 2500 m in the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
  • Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Very large avalanches have been running full path.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Very large persistent slabs have been triggered by this warm up, often running full path with wide propagation. Natural activity may begin to slow, however if triggered, avalanches are expected to be large and destructive.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Continued wet loose/slab activity is expected within the surface snow as warming continues and the snowpack has little chance to refreeze overnight. Greatest concern is for sun affected slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2024 4:00PM