Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 6 – 7, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Continue to manage buried weak layers by choosing low-angle terrain, and avoiding overhead hazard.

Minimize your exposure to south facing slopes during strong afternoon sunshine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Recent storm snow may still react as a slab in wind affected features at higher elevations. Watch for deeper and more reactive slabs near ridgelines.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    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.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Further reports add to significant natural and remotely triggered avalanches this week. Most recently natural activity has been reported from north and west facing slopes at treeline and above to size 2.5. This MIN, reports a remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche in the Wendy Thompson area.

A notable size 3 slab avalanche was observed on Sunday, failing near the ground at 2 m deep on a north facing slope. This is likely a reloaded bed surface.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is beginning to settle. However, reports show this storm snow is still not bonding well to the crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried 50-90 cm deep. This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers, and will take time to begin to settle and bond.

Strong sunshine is expected to create moist or wet snow on south facing slopes and increase the reactivity of weak layers.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 km/hr westerly winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies. 10-20 km/hr northwest winds. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing levels around 500 m.

Thursday

Mostly clear skies with increasing afternoon cloud. 10-20 km/hr northwest winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing levels head towards 1000 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 30-50 km/hr southwest winds. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing levels head towards 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Regions covered