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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 19th, 2023–Mar 20th, 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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, South Coast, Stave, Tantalus, Tetrahedron.

Warm spring daytime temperatures are here - watch for surface snow turning wet and be wary of cornices and overhead hazards.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose-wet avalanches to size 1.5 have been reported daily Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Professionals have also reported glide cracks opening in regular terrain.

On Wednesday, pinwheeling was seen on solar aspects and small dry loose sluffing seen on shaded aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Daytime warming and solar radiation have produced moist snow surfaces on all but the highest northerly slopes, a crust will form as temperatures fall.

Last week's 40 cm snow has settled and bonded with old surfaces, and is now covered by this recent sun/temperature crust. In general, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Starry sky with increasing clouds and wind. Southeast wind gusting to 30 km/hr. Treeline low temperature +1 C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Monday

Showers and wet flurries starting early Monday morning, 5-10 mm. Southeast wind decreases through the day as the temperature cools. Treeline high temperature +3 C, freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday

Wet flurries transitioning to clearing skies. South wind gusting to 25 km/hr. Treeline temperature high +4 C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. Light northeast wind. Treeline high temperature +3 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Rain or periods of intense solar radiation can rapidly enhance the effects of warming.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

The snowpack is slowly recovering and cooling from the recent sun and warm temperatures. A weak pulse could drop up to 10 mm wet precipitation, this load could further destabilize an already dynamic snowpack prolonging the wet avalanche hazard. Where dry snow prevails (at the highest elevations), pockets of stubborn wind slab may lurk on lee slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5