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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 29th, 2023–Mar 30th, 2023

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, 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

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead.

Wind slabs may still be reactive at higher elevations.

Seek out terrain that has not been wind-affected.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Monday and Tuesday saw several avalanches caused by wind slabs and cornice failure.

The cornice failure occurred naturally. These were in the alpine and covered all aspects except the north. They ranged in size between 2.5 and 3 and most of them did trigger a wind slab on the slope below them.

The wind slabs occurred in the alpine on the north and west aspects and were up to size 1.5. Some of the wind slabs were triggered naturally and remotely by snowcats. Five of them were triggered accidentally by riders. In two of these avalanches, the riders were involved. They were carried by the avalanche but were able to stay on top and get themselves out. No injuries were sustained and no gear was lost. These are good reminders that although snow stability is increasing in most places, avalanches can still occur.

Snowpack Summary

North to northeast winds has hammered the alpine to the point that it will have scoured much of it. Winds slabs may still exist in parts of the alpine and into the treeline. The direction of this wind is atypical for our area so wind slabs may be found in areas where they do not normally exist from a process called reverse loading.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

At the bottom of the snowpack, a layer of weak facets remains present and continues to be monitored for signs of reactivity.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear, no accumulation, winds southwest 10 km/h, freezing levels 1200 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, winds southwest 15 km/h, freezing levels 1600 m.

Friday

Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation starting overnight, winds southwest 25 to 30 km/h gusting to 50, freezing levels 1200 m.

Saturday

Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation overnight with another 5 to 10 during the day, winds southwest 25 km/h, freezing levels at 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.