Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2023–Mar 11th, 2023

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.

Watch for fresh wind slabs forming as snow accumulates over Saturday if you are travelling in terrain on the western side of the island.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations in the past 2 days.

On Tuesday our field team observed several size 1-2 wind slab avalanches at Mt Cain which they estimated to be around 1-2 days old. Some of them failed down to the buried crust.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of recent snow has been redistributed at upper elevations. At lower elevations, it continues to settle with mild temperatures. A sun crust or moist snow may exist on steep solar aspects.

A thick, widespread crust formed in mid February now sits 40-80 cm deep. Near Mt Cain, the crust is smooth with faceted crystals sitting on top of it. Avalanche activity on this layer has now tapered off, and reports show this interface is strengthening and unlikely to be triggered by a riders weight. Riders should still avoid thin and rocky start zones where this layer will sit closer to the surface.

The mid and lower snowpack is well consolidated, containing a series of well-bonded crusts.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. Light southwest wind. Freezing level drops to 500 m.

Saturday

Light snowfall. 5 cm for most areas. Western areas may see up to 15 cm. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Moderate southwesterly wind. Alpine high -1 ËšC.

Sunday

10-30 cm of new snow. Highest accumulations on the far west and north of the island. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Strong southwesterly wind. Alpine high -1 ËšC.

Monday

5 cm of new snow. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Strong southwesterly wind. Alpine high -1 ËšC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

As storm snow begins to accumulate over Saturday there is potential for fresh and reactive wind slabs to develop. Watch for wind affected deposits around ridgelines and mid slope rollovers.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2