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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 17th, 2024–Mar 18th, 2024
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Harrison-Fraser, North Shore, Powell River, Sasquatch, South Coast, Stave, Tetrahedron.

The snowpack has seen several days of high temperatures.

Avoid avalanche terrain and overhead hazard, particularly sun affected slopes.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Wet avalanches continued to be reported on Saturday, up to size 2.

Activity was concentrated on steep sun affected slopes in the heat of the day. Continued wet avalanches and cornice failures are expected as warming persists.

Snowpack Summary

The upper 30-50 cm of the snowpack is wet from warm temperatures and strong sunshine. This wet snow has a poor bond with the dry snow, or thin crust found below.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and dense, however buried crusts exist that may make sliding surfaces for avalanche activity as the warming affects deeper into the snowpack.

Check out this Mt Strachan MIN for more details on local conditions.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 15 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing level remains above 3000 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10-20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +12 °C with freezing level above 3000 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +10 °C with freezing level dropping to 2500 m in the afternoon.

Wednesday

Cloudy with light snowfall. 30-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C with freezing level dropping to 1200 m in the afternoon.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain as temperatures increase.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet and wet slab avalanches are expected as warming continues, with no overnight cooling. Warming is amplified on sun affected slopes, particularly near rock outcrops.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2