Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Several recent accidentally and remotely triggered avalanches have occurred.
The persistent weak layer is reaching a critical depth and the likelihood of rider triggering is increasing.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several avalanches have surprised skiers across the region over the last few days. Some were quite large and were remotely triggered from a distance, indicating a touchy snowpack over a persistent weak layer. Many groups recently traveling in the backcountry have also reported signs of instability like whumpfing and shooting cracks.
For more info click on the photos below.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find around 20 cm of soft snow in wind-sheltered and shady areas. This snow covers wind-affected surfaces or a crust on sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations.
A sun crust may have formed on the surface on steep south and west-facing slopes, and snow will be heavier and possibly moist or crusty at lower elevations. Forecast moderate to strong winds are expected to form fresh, reactive slabs in leeward terrain.
A layer of weak, faceted crystals over a crust, or surface hoar, is the primary layer of concern, buried around 40 to 80 cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with 1 to 5 cm of snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures dropping to -6 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around - 5°C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m
Tuesday
Partly cloudy, with 0 to 2 cm of snow expected. 25 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m
Wednesday
Cloudy, with 2 to 5 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Several recent avalanches in the region have been triggered on layer of buried surface hoar or weak, sugary facets overlying a crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Southerly winds are expected to form reactive wind slabs which may be found further downslope due to strong winds.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2024 4:00PM
