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 19th, 2023–Mar 20th, 2023

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson.

Buried surface hoar continues to be reactive, especially in wind loaded features.

Stick to conservative terrain free from overhead hazard, and watch for signs of instability increasing with daytime heating.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, numerous loose wet to size 1.5 were observed in steep, rocky solar terrain. Several natural storm slab avalanches were observed up to size 2.5, likely triggered by the sun or cornice failure. A few skier triggered, size 1, avalanches were reported. These avalanches released on a weak layer of surface hoar underneath the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Southwest winds have created reactive deposits of wind slab on north to east facing terrain features at ridge top. A melt freeze crust or moist snow exists on the surface at low elevations and on sun affected slopes.

A weak layer of surface hoar is found 20-50 cm down in sheltered terrain. On solar aspects, this layer appears as a melt-freeze crust. This layer continues to be reactive to skier traffic.

A second weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains may be found about 60 cm deep, particularly on shaded aspects near treeline.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mainly cloudy. Strong southeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing levels remain around 1400 m through the night.

Monday

Mainly sunny with cloudy periods. Moderate southeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature +1°C. Freezing levels 1500 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southeast winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature +1°C. Freezing levels 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mainly clear. Moderate southwest winds at ridgetop. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing levels 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.