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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 29th, 2023–Mar 30th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

It will likely still be warm with a mix of sun and cloud on Thursday. If the sun stays out for an extended time think about an increase in the likelihood of loose wet avalanches running in steep terrain facing the sun.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There is no avalanche activity to report in the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

There is likely a surface crust or moist snow on all aspects except north. On high northerly slopes, new snow from last week may overlie facets and surface hoar to mountain tops.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

 

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. Light northeast wind. High of -9 °C at treeline. Freezing level at Valley bottom.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light northeast wind. High of -1 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1700m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light southwest wind. High of -3 °C at treeline. Freezing level 1500m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. Light to moderate southwest wind. High of -3 °C at treeline. Freezing level 1300m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.