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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2024–Mar 5th, 2024

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Homathko, Spearhead.

Danger may reach HIGH on sun affected slopes. Sun can rapidly increase avalanche danger and may produce natural avalanche activity.

Stick to low-angle and supported terrain features

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Activity continues with operators noting more large natural avalanches to size 3, likely triggered by sun, wind, or continued snowfall.

MIN users continue to report remotely triggered avalanches, most common in convexities and unsupported features. Check out the many recent MINS for conditions.

Observations are limited as operators remain cautious about stepping into avalanche terrain. We expect human triggering remains likely, including remotes.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is beginning to settle. However, reports show this storm snow is still not bonding well to the crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried 70-150 cm deep. This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers, and is most concerning at treeline elevations where these crystals are most easily preserved. It will take time to begin to settle and bond.

Strong sunshine is expected to create moist or wet snow on south facing slopes and increase the reactivity of weak layers.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloud clears overnight. 20-30 km/h northwesterly winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.

Tuesday

Clear skies. 20-30 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies in the morning, with afternoon cloud. 20-30 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.

Thursday

Clear skies with increasing cloud. 20-30 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing levels reach 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.