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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 28th, 2022–Mar 29th, 2022

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

Keep a close eye on how the temperature and sun are affecting the snowpack in your local zone. The freezing level is forecasted to rise well into the alpine for Tuesday morning, but other factors may keep the upper snowpack cool, lowering avalanche danger. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather. A small change in the upper snowpack could dramatically change avalanche conditions.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. No new snow/rain expected. Light northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels fall to around 1000 m. 

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. No new snow/rain expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels reach 2500-2800 m throughout the region. 

WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Light snow/rain expected overnight and through the day. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level falling to around 1500 m. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Possible trace of snow/rain. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to around 750 m overnight and rising to 1500 m through the day.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Monday before 4 pm.

Saturday and Sunday, small loose wet avalanches were naturally triggered by warm temperatures and short periods of sunshine.

On Friday, a size 1.5 cornice triggered wind slab was reported in an alpine feature. 

Snowpack Summary

With freezing levels rising as high as 2500 m, moist snow is expected on all aspects into the alpine. In the northern end of the region, on the few peaks above 2500 m, recent snowfall totals of 5-10 cm may sit on wind affected surfaces in shaded alpine areas, and on a sun crust on south facing slopes. 

A melt-freeze crust from mid March exists down 40 to 60 cm on all aspects below 1500 m. The mid and lower snowpack is thought to be well settled and strong at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.