Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
More snow falling in our region will create reactive wind slabs.
Use extra caution in wind-loaded terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a few skier-controlled storm slabs were reported up to size 1, and previous old natural avalanche activity was seen from last weekend's storm.
On Monday, several natural storm slab and cornice failures were reported up to size 2. The cornice fall triggered a slab up to 50 cm deep from the slope below to size 2. Additionally, numerous explosive-controlled wind slab avalanches and cornices were reported up to size 2.
For today, natural avalanches are possible, and human-triggered storm slabs are likely, especially in wind-loaded areas. Storm slab reactivity is expected to persist for longer than is typical due to the weak surface they are sitting on.
For a deeper dive into conditions leading up to last weekend's storm, check out this awesome South Coast Conditions Report posted by Zenith Guides.
Snowpack Summary
Another 20 cm may arrive by Friday evening. This will add to the 40 to 70 cm that accumulated over the past 5 days. In some areas, this new snow has bonded poorly to the underlying surface consisting of stiff wind slabs and facets formed by last week's wind and cold temperatures.
Deeper in the snowpack 60 to 180 cm down exists two crusts with facets sitting above them. They can be found in alpine and treeline elevation bands. These crust/facet layers have been responsible for a few large avalanches in the past 2 weeks in the Brandywine and Pemberton Icefield areas.
The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, strong, and consolidated.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation, winds southwest 35 km/h, treeline temperatures -10 to -5 °C.
Friday
Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures around -10 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud, 2 cm accumulation, winds southeast 25 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud, 2 to 5 cm accumulation, winds east 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Last night's and today's snow will add to the snow that has been falling all week. Expect reactive storm slabs and wind slabs in exposed areas. A poor bond may exist to the underlying old snow surface and reactivity may persist for longer than is typical.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Two weak layers consisting of a crust with small facets above it, buried between 60 and 190 cm deep have been responsible for a few large avalanches in the past two weeks. This problem seems to be more of an issue west of the Sea to Sky highway corridor. These layers are of greatest concern with large triggers, such as a cornice fall, or by first triggering a smaller avalanche that could step down to this interface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2023 4:00PM
