Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 22nd, 2024 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Wind Slabs.
jfmichaud,
Avalanche Canada
👉 ATTENTION - VALID FROM SATURDAY MARCH 23RD TO MONDAY MARCH 25th 👈
A nice break allows us to enjoy the snow in the mountains on Saturday, but with all this new snow, the danger rating is on the rise. With more snow on Saturday night, we recommend conservative itineraries for the weekend.
*REVISED AT 10:00 AM SATURDAY MARCH 23 TO ADJUST TO HIGHER SNOW FORECAST
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1 and 1.5 slab avalanche deposits were observed at the beginning of the storm on Thursday at the Madeleine mines, in the bouleaux and couloir en S sectors. https://avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/34748818-e7e1-11ee-97c1-0a58a9feac02
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
During the storm, the strong to extreme southeasterly wind, then easterly, finally ending in a moderate northwesterly, greatly redistributed the snow, particularly in the alpine and at the treeline.
Mid-mountain, in areas sheltered from the wind, we found 30 to 40 cm of low-density snow resting on a crumbly crust a few centimetres thick. Under this crust, a further twenty centimetres of snow covered the very firm crust of March 10.
The middle of the snowpack is very well consolidated down to the ground. The average snow depth is around 130-140 cm.
Weather Summary
Synopsis: A short break before the snow returns on Saturday night to end the weekend in style.
Friday evening and night: Mostly cloudy. West wind 20 to 40 km/h. Low -18.
Saturday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -11.
Saturday evening and night: Snow, 20 to 30 cm total on Sunday morning. Light south-westerly wind veering north-westerly. Low -12.
Sunday: Clearing. Wind 30 to 50 km/h from the northwest. High -12.
Monday: Sunny. Light northwest wind. High -7. Freezing level at 350 m.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Problems
Storm Slabs
The storm snow will take a little longer to stabilize. In addition, a new storm slab problem is expected to appear as a result of the snow on Saturday night. We can expect a bigger problem on the leeward slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Despite a few periods of calm, the north-westerly wind will continue to create wind slabs throughout the weekend. The addition of 20 to 30 cm of new snow on Sunday will create new, more sensitive wind slabs on the surface, which could be superimposed on slabs that have not yet fully stabilized. Be particularly careful near couloir start zones, under convexities and in laterally loaded areas of the alpine and treeline.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 25th, 2024 3:00PM
