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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 9th, 2021–Mar 10th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Coast.

Recent storm snow has been redistributed into pockets of wind slab at tree line and in the alpine and may continue to be reactive. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / light northwest wind / alpine low temperature near -2 / freezing level 800 m

WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light north wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1000 m

THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1200 m

FRIDAY - Mainly cloudy / light to moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1300 m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, there were a few size 1 natural wet loose avalanches reported.

Over the weekend, there were reports of numerous storm slabs releasing 20 cm deep in the recent storm snow across all aspects between 1700-2000 m. Small loose dry sluffs were also observed in steep terrain. 

Snowpack Summary

Since Friday, the mountains in the south coast region have seen anywhere from 20-60 cm of snow that fell on a mix of previous surfaces, including a crust, wet snow, wind-pressed snow, and settled cold snow. The storm snow was accompanied by moderate to strong south winds, forming wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations that may remain possible to trigger. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can act as triggers on slopes below. 

Below the recent snow, the snowpack consists of a series of rain crusts and settled snow that is well-bonded. See this helpful MIN report from the Hollyburn area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong winds have had ample snow to drift into reactive wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations. Pay attention to the pattern of wind-drifting in the terrain where you are traveling and watch for cracking or changes in snow stiffness. Triggering large wind slabs on specific features remains possible. 

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5