Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
matt,
Avalanche Canada
Snow and wind will elevate the avalanche hazard tomorrow. How well the new snow sticks to the crust will be a key variable in determining how far the hazard will increase. Approach avalanche terrain with caution.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported today.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find the new snow(5-10cm) lying on top of an extensive frozen crust at all elevations, especially on solar aspects. This crust is providing strong bridging over any weak layers. On the shady aspects, there are older lingering surface wind slabs under this new snow that one should pay attention to. Both the persistent slab and the deep persistent slab could still be triggered on steep open alpine features. Take the time to dig and investigate these buried layers. You might see some sluffing in steep terrain with this new snow.
Weather Summary
Snow has already begun to fall with amounts expected to build overnight and into tomorrow. By morning, expect 10cm, then another 10cm throughout the day. Winds will be very different based on elevation. Valley bottom winds will be light and from the NE, while upper level winds will be out of the East. Speeds will all be light. Temperatures will range from -8 to -4.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This layer is the Feb 2 crust (down 40-90cm) that has facets around it and is still a concern on polar aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
This layer is the basal facets that is still a concern on polar aspects
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Variable wind directions will put slabs on all aspects, and primarily in immediate lee areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2024 3:00PM
