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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2024–Mar 4th, 2024

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Watch for recent snow to become increasingly reactive with solar input on Monday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle was observed up to size 2 through the recent stormy period. On Saturday, skier controlled storm slabs up to size 1.5 were reported below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Many areas have received 20-50 cm of localized convective snowfall over the weekend, bringing weekly storm totals up to 60 to 100+ cm. The recent snow sits over a crust on all but high north aspects. At upper elevations recent snow has been redistributed by wind.

Below the crust, the snowpack is generally well consolidated. A facet/crust layer in the mid snowpack was put to the test by the significant new snow load and it does not appear to present an avalanche problem at this time.

Below treeline areas have now received enough snow to produce avalanches. Watch for "early season" type hazards such as shallowly buried stumps, rocks and creeks.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with convective flurries brining 5 to 10 cm then clearing. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.