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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2024–Mar 11th, 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, Pine Pass, 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

Avalanche activity has been tapering off for the past few days. Generally only small rider and remotely triggered avalanches have been reported.  Despite this trend we remain concerned about the early February crust/facet layer and expect it to remain rider triggerable.

Snowpack Summary

New snow is being redistributed by ongoing southerly 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.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 110 cm deep. This crust has a layer of facets above it in many areas.

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

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

A mix of clear skies and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -2°C.

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 up to 5 cm of  new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with 5 cm of new snow. 25 to 40 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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.