Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 29th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dsaly,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for small but reactive pockets of dry snow, especially in wind-affected areas.Continue to evaluate the snowpack for signs of instability as you travel.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A skier triggered a small, thin wind slab at an entrance to a northwest-facing slope on Thursday.
The field team reported a few large cornice falls suspected to be a couple of days old on Wednesday and Thursday. Last weekend, a few loose wet avalanches were reported during the warm period. As the sun pokes out and temperatures warm, loose wet avalanches may again be possible.
Snowpack Summary
The wind has shifted directions and impacted recent snow at upper elevations, which may also cover a thin layer of surface hoar on north-facing and sheltered aspects. A thick melt-freeze crust caps the snowpack, except for those high north-facing alpine slopes where dry snow prevails. At lower elevations and on steep sunny slopes, the surface crust may soften with warming during the day, or the snowpack may be isothermal.
A layer of weak, faceted crystals overlying a crust is buried 30-60 cm in the east of the region and 50-100 cm in the west. Triggering this layer has become unlikely, except in the case of shallow snowpack spots or very large loads like cornice falls.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Starry sky with increasing clouds. West-northwest ridgetop wind, 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature low -8 °C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.
Saturday
A mix of sun and patchy cloud. Northwest ridgetop wind 30-45 km/h. Treeline temperature high 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated wet flurries, trace to 5 cm. West ridgetop wind gusting to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature high +2 °C. Freezing level rising above 1500 m.
Monday
Flurries, 5-15 cm. Southwest ridgetop wind gusting to 80 km/h. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level rising above 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Increasing winds will impact any dry snow available. Check for reactive pockets around steep and exposed features.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 30th, 2024 4:00PM
