Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mhalik, Avalanche Canada

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Reactive wind slabs may exist on all aspects

Small avalanches may step down to weak layers, producing larger avalanches than you may expect.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but field observations have been very limited.On Tuesday a large (size 2) avalanche was reported at Hankin, full details in this MIN.

On Monday several large (size 2) naturally triggered avalanches were reported in the Babines in wind-affected terrain in the alpine.

We expect natural activity to taper off, but human triggering remains possible.

Snowpack Summary

In alpine and open treeline areas, 15 to 30 cm of potentially wind-affected snow sits over a variety of surfaces including facets, surface hoar, old hard wind slabs, or a crust. The buried surface hoar is most likely to be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Another layer of weak, faceted crystals and a crust may be found buried 30 to 60 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy, with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -16 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -18 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, no new snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -20 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny, no new snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

The most reactive slabs will likely form on north/west facing slopes. Older slabs on other aspects may remain triggerable as they sit over weak layers

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Weak sugary facets over a hard crust or a layer of buried surface hoar may be susceptible to human triggers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2024 4:00PM