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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2024–Mar 5th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Choose shaded and supported features as clear skies and sun are expected.

Back off sun exposed slopes as they become moist, natural activity is possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday avalanches up to size 1 were produced by riders and explosive control work.

Reports indicate the storm snow is beginning to settle and bond, however reactivity is expected to remain in specific features, especially as the sun affects the snowpack on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Localised areas have received up to 50 cm of snow in the last 3 days. Recent storm snow appears to generally be settling well and beginning to bond to the widespread crust below. Wind effect can be found at higher elevations, creating deeper deposits around ridgelines.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated. The recent snow has improved travel conditions at lower elevations, but many obstacles, such as sticks and rocks, lurk just below the surface.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clearing skies with no snowfall expected. Westerly winds, 20-30 km/hr. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Clear skies. 30-40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 700 m. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Problems

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.

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.