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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 30th, 2021–Mar 31st, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Wind slabs are the main concern. Keep an eye on slopes facing the sun as the freezing level rises close to 2000 m on Wednesday. 

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday Night: Cloudy with clear periods. Ridgetop wind moderate from the southwest. Alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing level 500 m.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind moderate southwest. Alpine temperatures near -1 and freezing level 1900 m. 

Thursday: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Ridgetop wind moderate to strong southwest. Alpine temperatures near -3 and freezing levels 1500 m. 

Friday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, Ridgetop wind light southwest. Alpine temperatures near -4 and freezing levels 1400 m. 

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred on Sunday afternoon and evening up to size 2.5 during the storm. A near miss was also reported on the Coquihalla size 2.5 on Sunday as well. Check out this MIN report for more details.  

A report from Mt. Rohr on Saturday showed a fresh cornice-triggered slab from a steep piece of terrain, a great reminder of cornice and associated avalanche hazards.

 

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm of new snow blanketed the region by Monday morning. This snow fell with strong southwest wind building fresh reactive storm and wind slabs. The new snow has buried a mix of widespread hard crust and a bit of moist new snow below about 1700 metres and to either sheltered low density or wind-affected dry snow above this elevation. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.

Cornices along ridgelines are large and looming, especially after this storm. Avoid slopes with cornices overhead and give them a large berth while travelling along ridgelines. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.