Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2022–Mar 19th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Rider triggerable wind slab will likely build throughout the day.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Friday night: around 5 cm of new snow with moderate southwest winds. Low of -2 at 1500 m.

Saturday: mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

Sunday: mostly cloudy with light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level around 1200 m. 5 cm of new snow expected.

Monday: cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected and moderate southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past couple days several natural storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed in the region , Most of this avalanche activity was on north and east aspects. A small natural glide slab was also reported.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab will likely form on northerly aspects throughout the day on Saturday. a melt-freeze crust exists on sun-exposed aspects.

In the north of the region, a crust/facet interface from February sits 30-60 cm deep and had been most problematic on north to northeast aspects around 1900-2100 m. This layer produced a number of avalanche in early March but is now considered dormant.

Terrain and Travel

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep 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.