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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 19th, 2022–Mar 20th, 2022

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

Regions

Vancouver Island.

Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Rider triggerable wind slab will likely be found in exposed terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow with moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels falling to 700 m.

Sunday: cloudy with moderate southerly wind. Freezing level rising to 1200 m. 5 to 15 cm of new snow expected for most of the region with some western slopes receiving as much as 30 cm.

Monday: cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations and moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels rising to 2000 m.

Tuesday: flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow to higher elevations with strong south winds. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days. We suspect rider triggerable wind slab could have been found on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new storm snow has likely formed New wind slab on northerly aspects. A widespread melt freeze crust can be found on or near the surface across the region. This crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, and may not exist on high elevation north aspects. The snowpack is considered strong and well-bonded below this crust. . 

Below treeline, snowpack depths are below threshold for avalanches in many areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.

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.