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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2022–Mar 2nd, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Modest amounts of new snow and wind continue to build slabs on potentially weak layers. Evaluate each piece of terrain closely until the new snow has had an opportunity to bond to the layers below. Pay attention to overhead exposure at low elevations where the snowpack is moist. 

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

More snow over the next 24hrs and then a ridge of high pressure will build into the weekend.

Tuesday Night: Cloudy. 10cm of new snow. Wind light from the southeast. Temperature -2°C

Wednesday: Cloudy. 10-15cm of new snow with rain in the valleys. Wind light gusting moderate from the south. A high of 0°C and a low of -2°C. Freezing levels will hover around 1000m. 

Thursday: A mix of sun and clouds. No new precipitation. Winds light from the south in the morning shifting to north in the afternoon. Alpine high of 0°C and a low of -2°C. Freezing levels around 1000m

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. No new precipitation. Winds light from the north. Alpine high of 0°C. 

Avalanche Summary

Isolated skier cut wind slab and storm slab avalanches to size 1 were reported by guiding operations and recreationists on Monday

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and upper tree line, new snow over the last 24hrs has settled into storm slab up to 30cm thick and wind slab up to 80cm thick in leeward features. In some places, this sits above weak, feathery surface hoar crystals buried on February 26th. There is now 20-100cm of snow sitting on top of the mid-February crust that was buried on February 11th. This thick crust has effectively capped and bridged the lower snowpack. The upper snowpack is moist below 1000m. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.

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.

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.