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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2023–Mar 8th, 2023

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.

Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Monday.

Check out a recent North Shore Snowpack Update for a visual description of what the snowpack may look like in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating.

Sun crust on sunny aspects. 100-130 cm of snow last week and shifting strong winds formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects at treeline and above. These slabs are sitting on either hard surfaces and/or small facets.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, strong, and consolidated.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear skies / Light south ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline 0 C / Freezing level 700 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline 5 C / Freezing level 1100 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny / Moderate southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline 6 C / Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Light south ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline 2 C / Freezing level 600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun 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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.