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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 28th, 2024–Mar 29th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Watch for changing conditions as you shift aspect and elevation.

Expect reactivity in wind affected areas, slabs sit over a crust.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Small rider triggered slabs were reported on Tuesday and Wednesday to size 1.5. Reactivity is expected to linger in wind affected features moving forward.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of recent snow has fallen above a widespread crust layer. The crust likely does not exist on north-facing slopes above 2000 m.

South/southwest winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs near ridges at treeline and above.

The persistent weak layer that plagued the region for the first half of March is now 150-250 cm deep and no longer a concern.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing levels remain above 1000 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 15-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind with strong gusts. Freezing level rises to 3000 m by afternoon, bringing treeline temperatures to +10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.