Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 2:30PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

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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

An icon showing 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

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Variable wind directions will put slabs on all aspects, and primarily in immediate lee areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2024 3:00PM

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