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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2024–Mar 23rd, 2024

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

Regions

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

New snow is not expected to bond well with the crust below.

While light accumulations are forecast, avalanches may travel further than expected on the crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Going forward we expect small avalanches within the surface snow, as it is not expected to bond well with the crust below.

If you go into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

In southern areas, light accumulations of heavy/wet snow overlies a widespread crust on the surface at higher elevations. Softer surface snow is found at lower elevations due to above-freezing temperatures and light rain.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong with no concerns at this time.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 2-10 cm of new snow, favouring southern and western areas of the Island. 20-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level near 1500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 cm of new snow expected in the south. 20-30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level near 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level near 1800 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level near 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.