Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 4th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid Avalanche Terrain.
Solar input will further weaken the snowpack. Be aware of overhead hazard, avalanches have run full path.
We have received a report of a fatal incident.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday a fatal avalanche incident occurred north of Revelstoke. The avalanche was a size 2 that caught and buried a snow biker on a northeast slope at 2000 m. The avalanche released on the early February crust. View the report.
Human and naturally triggered avalanche activity continues throughout the region with avalanches ranging in size from 2 to 4. Some avalanches have run full path to valley bottom. Many human triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered.
Snowpack Summary
The wind has come from a variety of directions, wind effect could be found on all exposed terrain at higher elevations. A new crust or moist snow will be found on south and west facing slopes.
50 to 110 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 70 to 140 cm deep and extends up to 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
A mix of clear skies and cloud with up to 2 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -15°C.
Tuesday
Clearing skies throughout the day with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -13°C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -11°C.
Thursday
Mostly Sunny. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of faceted grains above a crust buried 70 to 140 cm deep is a recipe for large, high-consequence avalanches. Remote triggering is an ongoing concern.
Avalanches triggered on this layer could run full path.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slab could be found on all exposed slopes at treeline and above.
these avalanches could step down to deeper layers.
Solar Input could increase the likelihood of triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2024 4:00PM
