Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 4 – 5, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Continue to choose low angle and supported terrain features.

Watch for strong sunshine, even brief periods can rapidly increase avalanche danger and produce natural avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Buried weak layers are most concerning at treeline elevations. Small avalanches may step down to this layer resulting in very large, destructive avalanches.

    Use low-angle, simple terrain to help manage this problem.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Larger and more reactive slabs sit on north and east facing slopes near ridges. Continue to minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain and watch for signs of instability.

    Danger will rise quickly if the sun appears.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Remotely triggered avalanches continue, to size 2, failing on the buried facet layer up to 80 cm deep in recent reports.

A recent natural cycle was observed to size 3 at alpine and treeline elevations, where wind or sun was a possible trigger. We expect human triggering remains likely.

Check out this MIN for an overview of conditions, including a good reminder on treewells. Thanks to all for sharing your observations and learnables!

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals of 40-80 cm are beginning to settle, with wind effect in exposed, high terrain.

Multiple weak layers exist in the mid snowpack. The most concerning layer is found down 40 to 100 cm with a layer of facets (or in isolated areas, preserved surface hoar) above a crust. This layer is likely most concerning at treeline.

This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers, and will take time to begin to settle and bond.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with flurries, 5 cm in most terrain, higher in localised areas. 10-20km/hr easterly winds. Freezing levels fall to valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy with possible sunny periods and isolated flurries. Light and variable winds switch to 20 km/hr westerlies in the afternoon. Treeline temperature -11 °C. Freezing levels at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies. 20-40 km/hr northwest winds. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing levels at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies. 10-20 km/hr northwest winds. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing levels at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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