Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

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Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency. Choose low-consequence terrain and avoid exposure to overhead hazard.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several large and very large, accidental, and remotely triggered slab avalanches continue to occur across the region. Some have been triggered from low-angle or flat terrain onto adjacent or overhead slopes. We expect the potential for riders to trigger avalanches will remain elevated over the following days.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of new snow brings the recent storm snow to a total of 40 to 80 cm, forming reactive slabs across the region. Several persistent weak layers are now buried between 80 and 160 cm deep, including hard crusts with overlying weak facets and surface hoar. Ongoing avalanche activities have been reported on these weak layers.

At lower elevations, the upper snowpack may be moist or crusty.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around - 3 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak layers including crust/facet combos and buried surface hoar continue producing surprising avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Ongoing snowfall and winds have formed reactive storm slabs. The largest and most reactive are expected to be on northerly aspects. Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2024 4:00PM