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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2024–Mar 6th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, Garibaldi, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

While winds have generally been light, slabs are still reactive in specific features

Use caution around ridgelines, steep slopes and minimize exposure to southerly slopes in strong sun

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday size 1-1.5 naturally triggered avalanches were observed in specific features. Recent avalanches have been failing on within the recent storm snow (35-50 cm deep), or deeper on buried crusts in more inland terrain.

Reports indicate the upper snowpack is generally increasing in strength, however reactivity is expected to remain in specific areas like steep terrain or wind loaded features.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow appears to generally be settling and beginning to bond to the widespread crust below. Light wind effect may be found in some terrain, creating deeper deposits around ridgelines.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated. While the recent snow has improved travel conditions at lower elevations, many obstacles, such as stumps and rocks lurk just below the surface.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear skies. 10-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level at sea level.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny with some cloud. 20-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 500 m. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30-40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 700 m. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 40-50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rises to 1200 m. Treeline temperature may reach 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.