Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2024–Mar 3rd, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Tetrahedron.

Storm snow is still settling and bonding. Expect to find wind effect in exposed terrain and loose snow in sheltered areas.

Watch for changing conditions as you shift aspect and elevation.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosive control and riders produced avalanches to size 1 within the storm snow.

Reports indicate the storm snow is beginning to settle and bond, however reactivity is expected to remain in specific features.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90 cm of settling storm snow can be found overlying a widespread crust, or wind-affected surfaces at high alpine elevations. Another crust is buried around 20 cm below this. Reports suggest the snowpack is beginning to bond to these crusts, and gain strength.

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

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow in most areas, up to 15 cm in localised areas. 20-30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing leveldrops to 300 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow in most areas, up to 15 cm in localised areas. 20-30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing level stays around 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

15-30 cm of snow possible overnight.

Monday starts cloudy with skies clearing by afternoon. Northwest winds, 10-20 km/hr. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level hovers around 500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies with afternoon cloud increasing. 20-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level reaches 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.