Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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While conditions are gradually improving with cooling temperatures, very large persistent slab avalanches may remain triggerable in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of avalanches but data is limited in this region. If you go out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations on the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

A skiff of new snow sits over predominantly crusty surfaces. Lower elevations may remain moist.

A widespread, hard crust down 40 - 130 cm with weak facets above continues to be the primary layer of concern for human triggering of very large persistent slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing up to 7 cm. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Friday

Increasing cloud. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 to 4 cm. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A crust with weak facets above is down 40 to 130 cm. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2024 4:00PM