Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Island, North Island, South Island, Vancouver Island, West Island.
Human triggered wind slabs remain possible. Use extra caution on north facing slopes at ridgeline.
Back off solar slopes if the sun is out; natural avalanche activity can spike.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, several dry loose avalanches up to size 1 were reported.
Wind slabs on northerly facing slopes at upper elevations may be reactive to human triggering on Thursday.
When the sun comes out, natural avalanche activity will spike, especially on solar slopes.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accompanied by strong to southwest wind will likely form fresh wind slabs at upper elevations on leeward slopes.
This brings 70 to 100 cm (deeper totals in leeward terrain) of recent storm snow, which sits above a crust and a mix of facets and surface hoar that formed earlier this month. Solar slopes will see moist snow if the sun is out.
The mid and lower snowpack is strong and dense with depths of near 400 cm at treeline elevations.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 600 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with some sunny periods and isolated flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Friday
Cloudy with 5 cm. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 70 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be possible to trigger on leeward slopes at treeline and in the alpine. Back off if you encounter signs of instability like whumpfing, shooting cracks or avalanches.
Dry loose sluffing is likely in steep terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
The March sun can pack a punch. If the sun is out, avoid solar aspects.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2