Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2024–Mar 4th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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 possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

⚠️ While deep snow is easier to ride on steep slopes, reactivity & remote triggers continue in this terrain ⚠️

Choose smaller, supported slopes with no overhead hazard and watch for the sun!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday operators reported a recent natural cycle to size 2, likely triggered by wind loading or sun.

Multiple MINs report ongoing remotely triggered activity. This excellent MIN details a near miss with multiple parties riding in a small area. Thanks to all for sharing your observations and learnables!

Observations are quite limited as operators remain cautious about stepping into avalanche terrain. We expect human triggering remains likely including remotes.

Snowpack Summary

Recent settling storm snow of up to 140 cm continues to be redistributed by winds into deeper slabs on north and east facing slopes at treeline and above.

Multiple weak layers exist in the mid snowpack. The most concerning layer is buried 70-150 cm deep, with facets (or in sheltered areas, preserved surface hoar) above a crust. This layer is likely most concerning at treeline elevations where these crystals are most easily preserved.

This layer continues to show sensitivity to human triggers through remote and rider triggered avalanches, and will take time to begin to settle and bond.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries delivering up to 10 cm in localised areas. 10-20 km/h westerly winds. Freezing level drops to sea level.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with afternoon sun possible. 10-20 km/h westerly winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies and sun. 20-30 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies, with afternoon cloud. 20-30 km/h northwest winds. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level around 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.
Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.