Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Mar 10 – 11, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.

Wind slabs have the potential to step down to the persistent slab and remote triggering is still a concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs will be largest and most reactive on north and east aspects but could be found on all exposed terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Remotely and rider triggered avalanches continue to be reported in this region.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is being redistributed by strong southwest winds, leaving widespread wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Numerous sun crusts exist on steep south facing slopes. The snow surface will likely become moist at low elevations.

30 to 60 cm below the surface a variety of potential weak layers may exist, including 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 60 to 90 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it.

The eastern portion of this region is much shallower with a highly variable and wind-affected snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 25 to 45 km/h southwest alpine wind.  Treeline temperature -4°C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 25 to 45 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of  new snow. 20 to 40 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Regions covered