Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Garibaldi, North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.
Storm slabs may be reactive to human triggering, especially on wind-loaded northeast slopes. The March sun packs a punch and can quickly destabilize the snowpack on solar slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, natural dry loose avalanches were reported from steep terrain features and explosive control initiated several storm slabs up to size 1. The storm slabs were 5 to 20 cm thick with very limited propagation and entrainment.
On Sunday, a skier-triggered size 2 wind slab was reported as a MIN (check it out here) the skier was knocked off their feet but able to ski out with no injuries. A natural size one wind slab avalanche was reported in the Sky Pilot. This was in the alpine on an east aspect.
Natural and human-triggered avalanche activity may ocuur throughout the week with rising freezing levels and solar radiation.
Snowpack Summary
Over the past four days the region received up to 40 cm of storm snow. The new snow sits above a sun crust on solar aspects and a melt-freeze crust at lower elevations which may not have a good bond. Southerly winds have also created wind slabs in exposed terrain at higher elevations.
In general, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy, 3-5 cm of new snow. Treeline temperatures near -3. Winds southwest 20 to 45 km/h, with freezing levels falling to 400 m.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures near -3 Winds southwest light to 40 km/hr gusts. Freezing level 700 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Treeline temperatures near +2. Light East wind. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Winds 10-20 km/hr from the southeast. Treeline temperatures near +3 with freezing levels 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs may continue to be reactive to human triggering, especially where they sit above a hard crust. Strong southwest wind may build pockets of wind slab on lee slopes at upper elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Strong solar radiation may weaken the surface snow creating wet loose avalanches from steep solar slopes.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2