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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 30th, 2022–Mar 31st, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

As we transition to spring, you may find different conditions at every aspect, elevation, and time. Watch for snowpack conditions that change through the day, and as you move through terrain. 

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Light snow/rain expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to northwest at high elevations. Freezing level falling to between 600 and 900 m. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Very light snow/rain expected. Light variable ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m through the day.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Light snow/rain expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind with periods of strong in the high alpine. Freezing level falling to around 600 m overnight and rising to 1500 m through the day.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with possible mid-day sunnny breaks. Light snow/rain expected, up to 5 cm for the Coquihalla. Light southwest ridgetop wind trending to moderate west at high elevations. Freezing level falling to 600-1000 m. Back up to 1300-1600 through the day. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday before 4 pm.

On Tuesday, several small, wet loose avalanches were reported, mostly on solar aspects. 

If you are getting out in the backcountry, and have photos, conditions, avalanche observations, or even just funny stories to share, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network.  

Snowpack Summary

In localized areas on the Duffy and around Hope, up to 10 cm of recent snow falling with moderate southwest wind may have formed small, reactive windslabs on old, firm surfaces. With freezing levels down to 1300m, a frozen crust is expected on all aspects into the alpine. In the northern end of the region, on the few peaks above 2500 m, cold, winter snow may be found in shaded alpine terrain, with a sun crust on south facing slopes.

The rest of the upper snowpack consists of a number of crust/facet/surface hoar interfaces buried in March that seem to have bonded during the recent warm weather. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.