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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 11th, 2025–Mar 12th, 2025

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

15 to 30 cm of new snow and strong southwest wind will build touchy storm slabs. Avoid lee slopes at ridgeline.

Stick with a conservative trip plan and watch for signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent reports by Tuesday afternoon.

On Monday, explosive control produced one storm slab (size 1.5), and the AvCan field team observed one size 2 storm slab that they suspect was remotely triggered by a snowmobile.

New snow and strong to extreme southwest wind may form touchy storm and wind slabs on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accompanied by strong to extreme southwest wind will likely form fresh wind slabs at upper elevations on Wednesday.

This brings 80 to 120 cm (deeper totals in leeward terrain) of recent storm snow, which sits above a crust and a mix of facets and surface hoar that formed earlier this month. The mid and lower snowpack is strong and dense with depths of near 400 cm at treeline elevations.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 25 cm of snow with higher amount on the west side of the island. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.