Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 30th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
As we transition to spring, you may find different conditions at every aspect, elevation, and time. Watch for snowpack conditions that change through the day, and as you move through terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Light snow/rain expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to northwest at high elevations. Freezing level falling to between 600 and 900 m.
THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Very light snow/rain expected. Light variable ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m through the day.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Light snow/rain expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind with periods of strong in the high alpine. Freezing level falling to around 600 m overnight and rising to 1500 m through the day.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with possible mid-day sunnny breaks. Light snow/rain expected, up to 5 cm for the Coquihalla. Light southwest ridgetop wind trending to moderate west at high elevations. Freezing level falling to 600-1000 m. Back up to 1300-1600 through the day.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday before 4 pm.
On Tuesday, several small, wet loose avalanches were reported, mostly on solar aspects.
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Snowpack Summary
In localized areas on the Duffy and around Hope, up to 10 cm of recent snow falling with moderate southwest wind may have formed small, reactive windslabs on old, firm surfaces. With freezing levels down to 1300m, a frozen crust is expected on all aspects into the alpine. In the northern end of the region, on the few peaks above 2500 m, cold, winter snow may be found in shaded alpine terrain, with a sun crust on south facing slopes.
The rest of the upper snowpack consists of a number of crust/facet/surface hoar interfaces buried in March that seem to have bonded during the recent warm weather.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
Terrain and Travel
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Problems
Loose Wet
Freezing levels are below treeline, but mild daytime warming and periods of intense spring sun could make loose wet avalanches possible.
The size of these avalanches will be mostly influenced by how deep the loose snow is.
- If there is a solid, supportive crust on the surface, avalanches will be unlikely.
- If the temperature is above zero, the sun is on a slope, and there is very little wind to keep the surface cool, avalanches will become likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Moderate southwest may redistribute recent snow into small, reactive windslabs over firm surfaces.
- Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks and recent avalanches.
- Windslabs can be most reactive when they are fresh, so tune in to loading patterns when you see blowing snow.
- Use small test slopes to see how windslabs are bonding to the old surface.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 31st, 2022 4:00PM
