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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2022–Mar 26th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

New and old wind slabs are still the primary concern at higher elevations. Expect reactivity as new snow will sit over a crust. 

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southerly winds and freezing levels 1000-1500 m.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. 5 cm possible over the day,. Freezing levels 1500 m in the north, 2000 m in the south. Moderate to strong southerly winds. 

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow. Freezing levels 1500-2000 m. Moderate to strong southwest winds. 

MONDAY: Another 3-8 cm of snow over the day, mostly cloudy. Moderate southwest winds. 

Avalanche Summary

Warm temperatures, rain and sun on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday produced large wet avalanches on all aspects below the freezing line, and on steep sun affected slopes. 

A naturally triggered size 2 slab avalanche was reported on a northwest facing slope at treeline, involving the buried weak layers from mid March. As temperatures have dropped, avalanches on deeper weak layers are thought to be unlikely. 

Snowpack Summary

Light snow will fall on a melt freeze crust that extends to treeline on all aspects to 2000-2500 m and on south facing slopes to mountain top. On shaded aspects new snow will sit over wind affected surfaces

A melt-freeze crust from mid March exists down 30 to 60 cm on all aspects below 1500 m. The mid and lower snowpack is thought to be well settled and strong at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.