Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 4th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada trettie, Avalanche Canada

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Continue to choose conservative, low consequence terrain

The Likelihood of triggering a persistent slab is uncertain

Solar input could increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Only a few natural size 1.5 wind slab avalanches have been reported over the past few days.

Over the past week in the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary.

Snowpack Summary

Winds have come from a variety of directions over the past couple days. Wind effect could be found on all aspects. A crust or moist snow will be found on south and west facing slopes.

30 to 50 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 80 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it.

The eastern portion of this region is much shallower with a highly variable and wind effected snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature  -22°C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 5 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.

Thursday

Increasing cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent new snow has been redistributed by wind blowing from a variety of directions. Smaller slabs could step down and trigger larger, more destructive avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering .

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 5th, 2024 4:00PM

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