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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 27th, 2022–Mar 28th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast Inland.

Watch for wet avalanche activity, and wet or heavy surface snow. High freezing levels overnight with no refreeze will weaken the snowpack. 

Short bursts of strong sunshine may rapidly destabilize the snowpack on south facing slopes. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, around 3 cm of snow, with freezing levels dropping from 2000 -1500 m. Moderate southwest winds. 

MONDAY: Another 3 cm of snow over the day, mostly cloudy. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m. Light northerly winds. 

TUESDAY: Mostly clear skies, light southerly winds. Freezing levels reach 2500 m throughout the region. 

WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries possible, freezing levels remain around 1500 m. Moderate westerly winds. 

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, small loose wet avalanches were naturally triggered by raised freezing levels and short periods of sunshine. Similar activity is expected to continue on Monday. 

On Friday, a cornice triggered wind slab size 1.5 was reported in an alpine feature. 

Snowpack Summary

Freezing levels have remained around 2000 m for the last few days, as a result moist snow or a melt freeze crust likely exists below on all aspects. Above 2000 m, recent snowfall totals of 5-10 cm sit on wind affected surfaces in shaded alpine areas, and on a sun crust on south facing slopes. 

A melt-freeze crust from mid March exists down 40 to 60 cm on all aspects below 1500 m. The mid and lower snowpack is thought to be well settled and strong at this time. 

 This MIN report describes recent conditions in the Coquihalla area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wet Slabs

Minimize your exposure to large open slopes during intense sun and warming. Last week's warm weather triggered large wet slab avalanches on steep and open terrain features at treeline and below, especially where the snowpack sits over smooth rock slabs. 

Wet loose avalanche activity is also possible where loose surface snow is present below the freezing line and on south facing slopes that may see strong sunshine.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be found in high alpine terrain, where dry snow has been redistributed onto north and east facing slopes. Expect greater reactivity where slabs sit over a crust. 

Large cornices may also become weak and have the potential to trigger slabs on the slope below. 

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2