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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2023–Mar 11th, 2023

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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

Watch for blowing snow. New wind slabs could form throughout the day, If strong winds are observed wind slabs could be further down slope than expected.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several skier triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches were reported on westerly aspects in the alpine near Whistler over the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

A new crust exists just below the surface on solar aspects as well as on all aspects below treeline. Ongoing southerly winds have formed wind slabs near ridge crests at treeline and above. The above mentioned wind have also formed large cornices. Up to 20 cm of soft snow can still be found on sheltered northerly aspects.

A couple crusts with facets sitting above them can be found at treeline and above down 60-180 cm.

The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southerly winds and a low of -8°C at 1800 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -5°C at 1800 m.

Sunday

Stormy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m with freezing levels rising to 1200 m.

Monday

Stormy with up to 20 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m, freezing level rising to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

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.