Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 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.
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Avalanche Canada
⚠️Dangerous avalanche conditions⚠️
Stick to low-angle terrain and be mindful of overhead hazard. Large human-triggered and remote-triggered avalanches remain likely.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Natural, human, and explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 3 continue to be reported daily throughout the region since early last week. Many of the reported avalanches have been remote-triggered.
This MIN report from the weekend details a remotely triggered avalanche near the Gorman Lake area that is characteristic of reports throughout the province (photo below).
While natural activity has tapered off, human triggering remains a serious concern.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack is mostly low density snow with wind-affected and sun-affected snow in some areas. A widespread crust that formed in early February is roughly 100 to 120 cm deep. Weak faceted crystals and surface hoar above this crust are contributing to many concerning avalanches across the province. The lower snowpack is mostly weak and faceted.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °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 large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers remain very sensitive to human triggering and could result in very large avalanches. It is possible to trigger these layers remotely and avalanches have the potential to run full path, so watch your overhead exposure.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Heavy snowfall over the past week has left storm slabs at all elevations. If triggered, these storm slabs could trigger larger persistent slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2024 4:00PM
