Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Harrison-Fraser, North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.
Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface. Human-triggered avalanches remain likely.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, numerous natural, size 1, wet loose avalanches were observed below treeline.
On Saturday, explosive control produced several storm slab avalanches, size 1 to 1.5, at treeline and below treeline. A few human-triggered storm snow avalanches, up to size 1, were also reported on below treeline features.
If you are headed to the backcountry, please consider sharing your photos and observations from your day on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 70 cm of storm snow blankets the region. Moderate southwest winds have redistributed storm snow into deep pockets on lee slopes at the ridgeline. Storm snow covers a thick a crust except on high north facing terrain, where new snow buries up to 20 cm of dense snow overlying a crust from earlier in March. Below this crust is a generally moist upper snowpack.
The mid and lower snowpack contain several crusts that are not concerning.
Check out this great MIN with snowpack observations from the Mount Seymour area.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with heavy flurries, 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level drops to 700 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 2 cm snow. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level around 800 m.
Flurries intensify overnight, 5 to 15 cm of snow.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with flurries, 10 to 30 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Up to 70 cm of storm snow and moderate winds have built storm slabs at all elevations. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5