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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2024–Mar 5th, 2024

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Danger may reach HIGH on sun affected slopes. Sun can rapidly increase avalanche danger and may produce natural avalanche activity.

Stick to low-angle and supported terrain features

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A MIN report from Saturday in the Coquihalla shows reactive conditions remain, with avalanches noted on unsupported features, likely remotely triggered.

Professionals remain concerned about the weak layers and are very cautious about stepping into avalanche terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is beginning to settle. However, reports show this storm snow is still not bonding well to the weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a crust/facet/surface hoar layer buried 60-100 cm deep, and a widespread crust with weak facets above buried up to 130 cm deep.

Strong sunshine is expected to create moist or wet snow on south facing slopes and increase the reactivity of weak layers.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with no snowfall expected. 20-30 km/h southwest winds. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Clear skies and sunny. 20-30 km/h west winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing levels around 800 m.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny with some cloud. 10-20 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level around 700 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny.. 10-20 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.