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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2021–Mar 15th, 2021

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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Recently formed slabs could be triggered by riders on Monday. Use added caution around cornices and on sun-exposed slopes as the snow warms up over the day. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with intermittent snowfall then clearing, 20 km/h east wind, alpine temperature -13 C.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy, 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, 10 to 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

Storm slabs were reported as being touchy on Sunday, with slabs around 10 to 20 cm thick. Wind slabs were likely touchy at higher elevations too, but limited observations were made due to extreme wind. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders on Monday. Sun-exposed slopes and cornices will also weaken during daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow fell in the region on Sunday, likely forming storm slabs in sheltered terrain and wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain at treeline and alpine elevations. The snow overlies previously moist snow or a hard crust in most areas except for high-elevation northerly aspects, where it fell on previously wind-affected snow. Sun-exposed slopes may moisten on Monday if clear skies prevail. Cornices will also weaken in the sun.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.