Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Reactive storm slabs continue to build at higher elevations and thicker slabs will likely exist on leeward slopes due to wind redistributed storm snow. At lower elevations, loose wet avalanches are likely as rain soaks the snowpack.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Strong southwesterly winds result in an onshore flow of a cool, and unstable air mass. This brings moderate to heavy snow at upper elevations for the Vancouver Island ranges and the Coast Mountains.
Tuesday Night: 10-15 mm of precipitation expected with strong southwest winds. Freezing levels 1400 m.
Wednesday: Another 10 mm of precipitation falling as snow above 1300 m. Strong southwest wind continues.
Thursday: Drying and cooling trend with the freezing level dropping to 900 m with light northwest winds at ridgetop and clearing skies.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, several storm slabs were reported up to size 2. This followed a widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle on Sunday. Skier-controlled storm slabs were triggering remotely and propagating widely at treeline and below as shown in this MIN report. Natural avalanche activity will likely continue through Wednesday with reactive storm slabs in the alpine and upper treeline and loose wet avalanches below treeline.
Snowpack Summary
30-60 cm of new snow from yesterday is becoming soaked by rain. Above 1400 m, snow may begin to accumulate over the rain soaked surface as the freezing level sinks back down. The new snow sits over a variety of weak surfaces including facets, surface hoar and sun crust, to which it appeared to be bonding poorly yesterday.
50-80 cm below the surface, a 30cm thick crust caps the underlying snowpack which is well settled and strong.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will continue to develop throughout the day where precipitation falls as snow. Storm slabs are especially likely to be triggered in steep or convex terrain and in wind loaded areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
As rain soaks the snowpack at lower elevations, loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2022 4:00PM
