Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 8th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
jpercival,
Avalanche Canada
Dangerous conditions persist. Manage the uncertainty around buried weak layers by sticking to low-angle terrain, avoiding overhead hazard, and communicating with groups around you.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday a skier trigger avalanche was reported on a north east treeline terrain feature, this avalanche failed on the persistent slab and was nearly 1 meter in depth.
Wednesday a naturally triggered size 1.5 persistent slab avalanche was observed in the alpine on a west aspect. Another persistent slab, size 1.5, was skier-triggered in the Hurley area on Tuesday. It was 80 cm deep and occurred on a northeast-facing roll at treeline.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snowfall is forecast for amounts of up to 20 cm and will overlie a variety of surfaces including surface hoar. Expect strong southwest winds to strip snow from ridgelines and exposed features and deposit new snow into deep pockets in lee aspect terrain. Below this, 50-100 cm of old storm snow continues to settle over a facet/surface hoar/crust layer.
In the mid snowpack, an older problematic combination layer of faceted snow over a thick crust is estimated at 80-140 cm deep. This layer is the primary avalanche concern in the region, continuing to show sensitivity to human triggers and produce concerning snowpack test results. The lower snowpack is well settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy with heavy snowfall, 10-25 cm. 60-90 km/h southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level to 1200 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with heavy snowfall 10-25 cm. 50-70 km/h southwest alpine winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C with freezing levels rising to 1600 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 1-5 cm of new snow,. 30-50 km/h south alpine winds, easing. Treeline temperature -3 with freezing level falling from 1600 to 1400 m.
Monday
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 1-5 cm of new snow,. 30-50 km/h south alpine winds, easing. Treeline temperature -3 with freezing level falling from 1600 to 800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
New snowfall amounts will vary within the region , expect storm slab destructive potential to increase in areas with snowfall amounts that are greater than 20cm.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 9th, 2024 4:00PM
