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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2024–Mar 5th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

The sun packs a punch this time of year. Reduce your exposure to steep slopes facing the sun during the warmest parts of the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There were no reports of avalanche activity Sunday and Monday.

On Saturday, skier triggered storm an wind slabs were reported up to size 1.5 at and below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Many areas have received 20-50 cm of localized convective snowfall over the weekend, bringing weekly storm totals up to 60 to 100+ cm. The recent snow sits over a crust on all but high north aspects. At upper elevations recent snow has been redistributed by wind.

Below the crust, the snowpack is generally well consolidated. A facet/crust layer in the mid snowpack was put to the test by the significant new snow load and it does not appear to present an avalanche problem at this time.

Below treeline areas have now received enough snow to produce avalanches. Watch for "early season" type hazards such as shallowly buried stumps, rocks and creeks.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with clear breaks. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 600 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 25 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Avoid being on or under sun exposed slopes.

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.