Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
⚠️ Avoid avalanche terrain ⚠️Elevated temperatures in the alpine and solar input will result in a widespread natural avalanche cycle
Check out our latest blog about the forecasted warming
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, a wide range of natural avalanches were reported throughout the region up to size 3. Natural cornice failure and solar radiation were likely the trigger for many of these avalanches. Several skier triggered avalanches were reported up to size 2.
We expect to see a widespread natural avalanche cycle over the next few days. Avoid avalanche terrain and exposure from overhead hazards (open slopes, cornices) as avalanches could run full path.
Snowpack Summary
Moist snow surfaces will extend into the alpine (except for high north-facing slopes) with rising freezing levels, especially on sun-exposed slopes.
40 to 60 cm of recent storm snow is settling rapidly with warm temperatures. The new snow sits on sun crusts and wind-affected snow from previous strong southwest winds.
Below this, two layers of surface hoar and sun crust can be found in the top meter of the snowpack. One from late February and the other from early March.
A hard widespread crust formed in early February is buried about 80 to 150 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it and continues to be reactive.
The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.
Weather Summary
Friday
Clear skies. 5 to 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures are a high of +3°C. Freezing level around 3000 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures high near +5°C. Freezing level rising to 3200 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature high near +5°C. Freezing level around 3200 m.
Monday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature high near +4°C. Freezing level around 3000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
- Avoid runout zones of avalanche paths on solar aspects, avalanches could run full-path if triggered.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Two reactive layers exist in the upper snowpack. One is down 40 cm and the deeper one down 80 to 150 cm. We expect to see a widespread avalanche cycle on these layers with intense warming through the weekend.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Warming and periods of sun will produce widespread wet loose avalanches, especially on steep sun-exposed slopes. These may step-down and trigger deeper slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices will weaken with prolonged warm temperatures at higher elevations. Cornice failure could trigger avalanches that have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers creating very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 16th, 2024 4:00PM
