Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2020–Mar 23rd, 2020

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

Regions

South Coast.

Human triggered avalanches will be likely on Monday with new snow and wind in the forecast. Keep your risk tolerance to a minimum while public health resources are strained.

Confidence

Moderate - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

A cold front crosses the region Monday morning.

SUNDAY NIGHT: 5-10 cm of new snow, moderate southwest wind, freezing level drops to 700 m, treeline temperatures drop to -3 C.

MONDAY: Another 10-15 cm of snow throughout the day, light to moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 700 m, treeline temperatures reach -1 C.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, freezing level around 700 m, treeline temperatures reach -1 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light northwest wind, freezing level around 900 m, treeline temperatures reach 0 C.

Avalanche Summary

Human triggered slab avalanches will be a concern on slopes that accumulate new snow, especially in wind loaded terrain.

No avalanches have been reported the past few days, although warm temperatures have likely resulted in natural wet loose avalanches in steep south-facing terrain. We have a preliminary report of a snowshoer who was recently fatally involved in an avalanche in the Mt. Brunswick area. The individual was recovered on March 20, three days after being reported missing and six days after beginning their trip. The avalanche was a 45-100 cm deep wind slab release on steep terrain and it buried a trail 50-60 m below it. Given snowpack changes since the likely date of this incident, similar avalanches are not expected to occur going forward.

Snowpack Summary

The past week of warm weather has formed moist and crusty surfaces which will be buried by 15-30 cm of new snow by Monday afternoon. There is some uncertainty about how well the new snow will bond to these interfaces. A few high elevation, shaded slopes may still hold dry, previously wind-affected snow.

The snowpack is well-settled. Snowpack depths diminish rapidly with elevation, with 300-400 cm at treeline and no snow below 700 m.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Stick to well supported, lower angle terrain.

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.