Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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While avalanche hazard is improving with cooling temperatures, human-triggered persistent slab avalanches remain a concern in areas not capped by a thick surface crust.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region.

If you are heading into the backcountry please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network. We read every report!

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies a melt-freeze crust capping a moist upper snowpack on all but direct north aspects above 1900 m, where the surface snow remains soft and dry.

A significant crust/facet layer is buried 60 to 170 cm deep. This layer was reactive to human triggering last weekend and it continues to be reactive in snow pit tests. It remains a concern on northerly aspects above 1800 m, where the layer is still possible to human-trigger.

Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Increasing cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy with a trace of snow possible. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of snow possible. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Concern remains for human-triggering the persistent weak layer on sheltered north aspects above 1800 m. If triggered, avalanches will be large and destructive. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2024 4:00PM