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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2021–Mar 11th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast.

Wind slabs remain a concern at upper elevations. Watch for denser, deeper drifts near ridge-crests and rollovers.

Minimize your exposure to cornices and sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Mainly clear with cloudy periods and a few flurries / light northeast wind / alpine low temperature near -2 

THURSDAY - Mainly sunny / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -1 / freezing level 1200 m

FRIDAY - Cloudy with sunny breaks / light to moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near 2 / freezing level 1800 m

SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near 5 / freezing level 2500 m

Avalanche Summary

There were no new avalanches reported on Tuesday.

On Monday, there were a few size 1 natural wet loose avalanches reported.

Over the weekend, there were reports of numerous storm slabs releasing 20 cm deep in the recent storm snow across all aspects between 1700-2000 m. Small dry loose sluffs were also observed in steep terrain. 

Snowpack Summary

20-60 cm of snow from the past weekend has been redistributed by recent winds, forming wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations, which may remain possible to trigger. Massive cornices exist on ridgelines, which can act as triggers on slopes below. Solar aspects likely have a crust on the surface.

Below the recent snow, the snowpack consists of a series of rain crusts and settled snow that is well-bonded. See this helpful MIN report from the Hollyburn area.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

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.