Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 16th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ejones, Avalanche Canada

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Southwest winds have formed deposits of reactive wind slab.

Seek out sheltered terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a size 3 avalanche occurred in Haines Pass, running over the highway.

A few size 1.5 wind slab avalanches were reported by the Field Team in the Nadahini area on Thursday, failing below corniced ridgeline features. Skiers were able to trigger wind slab deposits on north- and east-facing slopes near Haines Junction.

If you go into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate and strong south winds have redistributed 30 cm of new snow. Deeper, more reactive deposits exist in leeward terrain. Many windward features are stripped back to the ground.

A weak layer of faceted crystals or surface hoar found 50 to 80 cm deep remains a concern. A crust exists buried 100 cm deep. The midpack is generally facetted to the ground.

With warm temperatures on Saturday, a surface crust may have formed at the surface at lower elevations, up to 1500 m.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 3 cm of snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -1 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with snow flurries. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Cloudy with snow flurries. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

For more details, see the Mountain Weather Forecast.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Southwest winds have formed reactive slabs. Watch for corniced ridges, cross-loaded features, and convex rollovers.

These slabs may step down to deeper layers, producing larger-than-expected avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

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