Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for wind slabs at higher elevations where dry snow may still be lingering on shaded aspects. Periods of strong wind from the northwest may form new slabs on Monday. Where the snowpack is capped by a thick melt-freeze crust, avalanches will be unlikely.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Unsettled conditions are expected on Monday as a weather system off the north coast moves southward resulting in strong winds and lower freezing levels for the region. The system is expected to reach the region Monday evening bringing light snowfall for Tuesday.Â
Sunday Night: Increasing cloud cover, moderate to strong NW wind, freezing levels around 2000 m.
Monday: Cloudy with a chance of light flurries, moderate to strong NW wind, freezing levels around 1000 m.
Monday night and Tuesday: Light snowfall 5-10 cm, light to moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 800 m.
Wednesday: Sunny, moderate NE wind, freezing levels around 500 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Saturday. On Friday, this MIN report includes numerous size 1 loose wet avalanches on east through south aspects.Â
A persistent slab avalanche problem is prevalent just north of the region in the southern Sea to Sky. While there hasn't been any observations of this problem in the South Coast region, it may exist in some of the data sparse parts of the region outside of the North Shore. This blog post goes into further details on the problem.Â
Snowpack Summary
A widespread melt-freeze crust is now expected to be capping the snowpack except for possibly high elevation north aspects where dry surface snow may still exist. Periods of moderate northerly wind over the weekend may have redistributed this old storm snow in exposed high elevation terrain and formed wind slabs.Â
A weak interface from mid-February can be found 30-60 cm deep which may include a sun crust, facets, and/or spotty surface hoar. This interface was bonding poorly at the beginning of the storm last week but it now appears to be dormant, especially where the snowpack is capped by a robust crust.Â
The middle and lower snowpack are considered well-settled and strong.
Check out the latest North Shore Snowpack video for additional details for that area.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Reactive wind slabs may be lingering from the weekend in exposed alpine terrain.
Ongoing wind slab formation may be possible on Monday with periods of strong NW wind expected. However, this will depend on the extent of the surface melt-freeze crust. If a crust has formed on high elevation north aspects, wind slab formation will be unlikely. If you are still finding dry, unconsolidated surface snow, wind slab formation remains possible.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2022 4:00PM
