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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2024–Mar 3rd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Glacier.

While natural avalanche activity may be tapering, human triggered avalanches are still likely.

Stick to conservative terrain, and be aware of who is above and below you.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a group triggered a size 3 in the Camp West area, failing on the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer.

Avalanche control just West of the park Friday produced numerous large avalanches, including a size 4 on the Feb 3rd crust, 1.5m deep x 800m wide.

Overnight Friday 2 large avalanches from Mt Macdonald put dust and branches on the highway.

We continue to see daily reports in the region of human triggered avalanches on the Feb 3rd layer - many failing in small forest openings.

Snowpack Summary

We have ~140cms of settled (storm)snow from this weeks storms.

Moderate to strong south winds loaded lee features during the storm. Winds switched to the North overnight, expect reverse loading in the alpine and treeline.

Below the storm snow, a layer of facetted/sugary crystals sits on the Feb 3rd crust forming a significant persistent weak layer and will be the main layer of concern in the coming days.

Weather Summary

Sunday the weather will remain unsettled before a general clearing/cooling trend.

Tonight: Cloudy with scattered flurries. S wind 15-25km/hr. Alpine low -11°C.

Sun: Cloudy with Sunny periods. Wind: SW 15-25. Low -15 °C, High -13 °C.

Mon: Cloudy with sunny periods & isolated flurries. Light SW wind. Low -15 °C, High -13 °C.

Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Light SE ridgetop winds. Alpine Low -17°C, High -14°C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, avoid terrain where triggering slopes from below is possible
  • Extra caution for areas experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.