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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 30th, 2023–Mar 31st, 2023
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Although triggering slabs on deeply buried weak layers is unlikely under the current conditions, we'll be avoiding rocky start zones and thick to thin transitions for the remainder of the season.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations.

On Monday, a couple of large, deep avalanches were observed in the alpine near Haines Pass. A size 3 on a northeast aspect was thought to have run during a wind event last Sunday, and a size 2.5 on a south aspect was thought to have been triggered by strong sun early in the week. These have been isolated occurrences so far but may be a sign of things to come as the spring warms up.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of new snow falls over wind-pressed surfaces in the alpine and crust on solar aspects around treeline. Soft older snow may be found in shady, wind-sheltered areas. At Haines Pass, 5-15 cm of snow sits over a rain crust below 1300 m.

Weaknesses in the mid and lower snowpack are unlikely to produce avalanches under the current conditions. A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now over 1 m deep in most areas, and has not produced avalanche activity for several weeks. The lower snowpack consists of basal facets, particularly in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

2-5 cm of new snow. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine low -9 °C.

Friday

2-5 cm of new snow. Moderate southeast wind. Alpine high -5 °C.

Saturday

2-5 cm of new snow. Light southeast wind. Alpine high -6 °C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind. Alpine high -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

With less than 10 cm of new snow expected, if a wind slab problem exists it will be confined to isolated pockets in the alpine.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5