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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2023–Mar 13th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast, Garibaldi, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

The latest storm system to hit our region will bring significant precipitation and wind.

Reactive storm slabs should be expected.

Make conservative choices today.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

To the immediate north of our region, there were three wind slab avalanches reported. These were size ones that were triggered accidentally and naturally. These were found at elevations as low as below treeline.

There have been no new avalanches reported in our region this past week. This is expected to change with Sunday night's change in weather.

Snowpack Summary

By Monday morning 30 cm will have accumulated overnight and join the 20 cm that has accumulated since Friday. These totals will cover a crust on solar aspects and at lower elevations, it may not bond well. Southerly winds have created wind slabs in exposed terrain.

In general, the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded.

If you are a visual learner click here to get a look and explanation of the current snowpack.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy, 25 to 30 cm accumulation mixed with rain, winds southwest 35 km/h gusting to 70, freezing levels reaching 1300 m.

Monday

Cloudy with possible afternoon sunny breaks, precipitation tapering in the morning with 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h gusting to 50, with freezing levels rising to 1200 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods late in the day, 10 to 15 cm accumulation with higher amounts to the western regions, winds southwest 30 km/h, freezing levels 500 rising to 1000 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds northwest 15 km/h gusting to 30, freezing levels 500 rising to 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As the storm slab problem gets trickier, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.