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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2022–Mar 19th, 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, 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.

Regions

Vancouver Island.

Forecasted snowfall amounts vary greatly across the region. Treat hazard as considerable in areas that receive more than 20 cm overnight.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: stormy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow for most of the region. Up to 50cm in the 5040 Peak area. Light to moderate southerly winds and a low of -2 at 1200 m. 

Saturday: a mix of sun and cloud with flurries bringing up to 10cm of snow at higher elevations. Freezing levels rising to 1100m. Light to moderate southwest winds. 

Sunday: mostly cloudy with moderate southerly wind. Freezing level around 800 m. 5 to 10cm of new snow expected.

Monday: mostly cloudy with 5 to 10cm of new snow expected and moderate southerly winds. Freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

We suspect new wind slab could be rider triggerable on Saturday.

No avalanches have been observed over the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slab will likely form over night on northerly aspects. A widespread melt freeze crust can be found on or near the surface across the region. This crust is thickest at low elevations and on sun-exposed slopes, and may not exist on high elevation north aspects. The snowpack is considered strong and well-bonded below this crust. . 

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

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.

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.