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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2022–Mar 24th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast.

A crust likely exists to mountain top, making avalanche activity unlikely. Monitor surface conditions throughout the day, and minimize exposure to slopes that hold wet and heavy surface snow. 

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Skies clear overnight with light westerly winds. Freezing levels fall to 1000 m. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light southeast winds. Freezing levels around 1600 m.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1800 m.

SATURDAY: Moderate to heavy snowfall over the day, freezing levels around 1500 m. Moderate southerly winds. 

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, a widespread cycle of small loose wet avalanches was reported. Avalanches were naturally and human triggered, involving the recent storm snow. 

On Monday riders triggered slab avalanches up to size two, mainly on north facing aspects (lee to southerly winds). 

Snowpack Summary

As temperatures drop, a melt freeze crust will extend into the alpine on all aspects. Expect moist snow at low elevations below the freezing line, and on south facing slopes as the sun comes out. Dry snow can possibly be found on the highest peaks above 2000-2500 m, likely redistributed by strong southerly winds into wind loaded features on north/east facing slopes. 

The upper snowpack consists of hard wind pressed surfaces and crusts. The snowpack is considered well-settled and strong below these crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.

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.