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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 19th, 2021–Mar 20th, 2021

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on steep slopes that have been loaded by the wind.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Scattered flurries continue over the weekend.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of new snow, 30-40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with some scattered flurries and another 5 cm of snow, 30-50 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures drop to -5 C.

SUNDAY: Heavy snowfall starting mid-morning with 10-15 cm by the evening, 40-60 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

MONDAY: Another 5 cm of snow by the morning then sunny in the afternoon, 20-30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

While there are no notable reports of avalanches since it started snowing on Thursday, wind slabs could be reactive to human triggering on steep terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

New snow amounts between Thursday and Saturday are expected to total 15-30 cm. This snow has been accompanied with strong wind from the south and west, so reactive wind slabs could be found in lee terrain features. This new snow overlies a melt-freeze crust up to around 1700 m and higher on sun-exposed slopes or dry snow on northerly aspects at high elevations.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.