Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast Inland.

As we transition to spring, you may find different conditions at every aspect, elevation, and time. Watch for snowpack conditions that change through the day, and as you move through terrain. Reduce exposure to steep slopes if the sun comes out.

Summary

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Very light snow/rain expected. Light variable ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to around 750 m.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, possible sun in Alison Pass. Light snow/rain expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind trending to strong at high elevations. Freezing level rising to 1500 m through the day.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with possible mid-day sunnny breaks. Light snow/rain expected, up to 5 cm for the Coquihalla. Light southwest ridgetop wind trending to moderate west at high elevations. Freezing level falling to 600-1000 m overnight. Back up to 1300-1600 through the day. 

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate snow/rain expected. Up to 10 cm in the Duffy. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to extreme at high elevations. Freezing level around 1500 m. 

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, north of Pemberton, a large cornice fall triggered a windslab on the slope below. It occured on a northeast aspect in the alpine. Also, east of Pemberton, a small slab avalanche was reported on a north aspect below treeline, likely due to above zero temperatures. 

If you are getting out in the backcountry, and have photos, conditions, avalanche observations, or even just funny stories to share, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network.  

Snowpack Summary

Supportive surface crust on all aspects into the alpine. On the highest peaks, above 2200 m, cold, winter snow may be found in shaded alpine terrain. Small, reactive windslabs on isolated, high alpine features.

The rest of the upper snowpack consists of a number of crust/facet/surface hoar interfaces buried in March that seem to have bonded during the recent warm weather. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Moderate southwest wind redistributed recent snow into small, reactive windslabs over firm surfaces on isolated features in the alpine. 

  • Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks and recent avalanches.
  • Windslabs can be most reactive when they are fresh, so tune in to loading patterns when you see blowing snow. 
  • Use small test slopes to see how windslabs are bonding to the old surface.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2022 4:00PM

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