Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2024–Mar 10th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Tumbler.

Choose conservative, low consequence terrain.

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

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.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.