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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 31st, 2023–Apr 1st, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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

Regions:

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on steep slopes that have been wind loaded.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There are no recent observations from the Haines Pass area. On Monday, a couple of large, deep avalanches were observed in the alpine. 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

By Friday afternoon 15 cm of snow fell at Haines Pass, with another 15 to 25 cm possible by Saturday afternoon. This snow will most likely be soft and low density in sheltered areas, but stiffer wind slabs could form in open terrain. This snow is falling on wind-pressed layers in the alpine and on 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

Friday night

Cloudy, steady flurries with 10 to 15 cm of snow, 30 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperatures cool to -8 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, flurries easing off by the afternoon with 5 to 10 cm of new snow, 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud, no significant precipitation, 25 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -8 °C.

Monday

Sunny, no precipitation, 15 km/h north wind, treeline temperatures around -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs likely formed on lee terrain features during the stormy weather on Friday.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2