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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2025–Mar 14th, 2025

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Human triggered wind slabs remain possible. Use extra caution on north facing slopes at ridgeline.

Winter isn't over yet. Check out the new forecaster blog here.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, several natural storm slabs (up to size 1.5) were reported on northerly aspects at treeline. Human triggered storm slabs also easily triggered (up to size 1) on west, north and east aspects at treeline and below.

The new snow reportedly has decent bond to the underlying crust. However, human-triggered wind slabs remain possible on northerly slopes at ridgelines.

Snowpack Summary

Lingering wind slabs may exist on leeward slopes at treeline and in the alpine.

The past week brought 70 to 100 cm (deeper totals in leeward terrain) of recent storm snow, which sits above a crust that formed in early March. The recent snow reportedly has a good bond to the underlying crust. Steep solar slopes may see moist snow if the sun is out and refreeze overnight, forming a surface crust.

The mid and lower snowpack is strong and dense, with depths of near 400 cm at treeline elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with some sunny periods and isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 cm. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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.