Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Mar 10 – 11, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.

The persistent weak layer is getting to a critical depth and the likelihood of rider triggering is increasing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    New snow and ongoing southerly wind has formed reactive wind slabs. wind slab may be found further down slope due to strong winds.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A layer of buried surface hoar or weak, sugary facets overlying a crust have the potential to create large avalanches if triggered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday skiers in the Blunt Range were able to ski cut size 1 slabs on north facing slopes and reported a lot of whumpfing and shooting cracks.

A size 1.5 persistent slab was triggered remotely by a snowcat in the north of the region on Friday as well.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find 20 to 35 cm of soft, fresh snow in sheltered areas. Moderate to strong winds have formed fresh, reactive slabs in leeward terrain. This new snow covers wind-affected surfaces or a crust on sun exposed slopes and at lower elevations.

There are a variety of weak layers in the upper snowpack that could produce larger avalanches. Most concerning is a layer of weak, faceted crystals sitting on a crust 40 to 80 cm below the snow surface, seen in the snow profile photo below.

The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

A mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 35 km/h south alpine wind.  Treeline temperature -6°C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow. 35 to 55 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -3°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southeast alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of  new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Regions covered