Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 28th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
A bit of new snow will freshen up the ski quality but persistent slabs remain a concern. Triggering a persistent slab is most likely on northerly aspects between 1900-2400m where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd facet/ crust layer.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A size 2 natural persistent slab avalanche was observed on Mt. Churchill on Monday.
On Sunday, 7 skiers remote triggered a size 2 slab from 100m away in the Boundary peak area. Avalanche occurred in a thin rocky spot, alpine, N aspect, 2250m elevation, 35 degree slope, and slid on the Feb 3rd facets/crust layer. The group triggered it from the bench above
Likewise groups have been remote triggering avalanches in the Lake Louise region up to size 3, failing on the the Feb 3rd layer
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm of new snow in the past 24h. Below this new snow, a thin sun crust is present on steep solar slopes at all elevations. On shaded aspects, new snow sits over 10cm of low density snow over a 2-10cm melt-freeze crust. The Feb 3rd crust interface is down 30-90cm. Basal depth hoar and facets make up the bottom of the snowpack. HS ranges from 50 to 150cm.
Weather Summary
Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Friday Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine High -5 °C. Light ridge wind. Freezing level: 1500m
Saturday A mix of sun and cloud. No Precipitation. Alpine High -5. Wind west 10-20 km/h. Freezing level 1600m
Sunday A mix of sun and cloud. No Precipitation. Wind west 15
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. Northerly aspects between 1900-2400m seem to be the problem area. It is possible that this will step down to the deep persistent weak layer.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Watch for loose dry with the recent snow. These might not be a problem by themselves but could push you into a terrain trap.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM
