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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 19th, 2023–Mar 20th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Warm spring daytime temperatures are here - watch for surface snow turning wet and be wary of cornices and overhead hazards.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose-wet avalanches to size 1.5 have been reported daily Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Professionals have also reported glide cracks opening in regular terrain.

On Wednesday, pinwheeling was seen on solar aspects and small dry loose sluffing seen on shaded aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Daytime warming and solar radiation have produced moist snow surfaces on all but the highest northerly slopes, a crust will form as temperatures fall.

Last week's 40 cm snow has settled and bonded with old surfaces, and is now covered by this recent sun/temperature crust. In general, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Starry sky with increasing clouds and wind. Southeast wind gusting to 30 km/hr. Treeline low temperature +1 C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Monday

Showers and wet flurries starting early Monday morning, 5-10 mm. Southeast wind decreases through the day as the temperature cools. Treeline high temperature +3 C, freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday

Wet flurries transitioning to clearing skies. South wind gusting to 25 km/hr. Treeline temperature high +4 C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. Light northeast wind. Treeline high temperature +3 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

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.
  • Rain or periods of intense solar radiation can rapidly enhance the effects of warming.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.