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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2022–Mar 15th, 2022

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

Regions

Vancouver Island.

With few recent field observations, we have uncertainty around conditions in much of the region. Make observations and assess conditions as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Snowfall 5-10 cm, 60-70 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Tuesday: Flurries around 5 cm, 50-60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -4 C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Wednesday: Flurries bringing a trace, 30-40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -5 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday: Snowfall bringing 5-15 cm, 40-60 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work on Sunday produced wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5. Small loose wet avalanches were reported in the afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of new snow and southwest wind are incrementally accumulating wind slabs in lee terrain features. 

30-50 cm of recent snow appears to be bonding well to a widespread hard melt-freeze crust found across the region. The crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. The crust may not exist on high alpine terrain on north aspects.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Below treeline, snowpack depths are below threshold for avalanches in many areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.