Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 22 – 23, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Elevated freezing levels mean that wet loose avalanches and natural cornice falls are likely to continue.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind slabs could still be found in high alpine terrain.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

     Ongoing winds have formed overhanging cornices. The likelihood of natural cornice falls can increase with warming and solar input Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Elevated freezing levels mean that wet loose avalanches are still likely. size and likelihood of these avalanches could increase on south and west facing slopes in the afternoon if the sun comes out.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: A trace of new snow expected at higher elevations. Freezing level around 1900 m. Strong southerly winds.

Wednesday: Cloudy with around 10 cm of snow expected at higher elevations. Freezing levels around 2000 m. Moderate to strong southwest winds .

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light variable winds and freezing levels around 1700 m.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday natural and human triggered wind slab avalanches up to size two were observed throughout the region. These avalanches were on northerly aspects and in the alpine. Wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were also observed in steep terrain, we suspect more of this type of avalanche activity will be reported on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs can be found on north and east aspects in the alpine. Moist snow will likely be observed on all aspects and elevations. As the freezing level falls a crust is likely to form . Multiple crusts exist on solar aspects.

a melt-freeze crust from mid March exists down 30 to 60 cm on all aspects below 1500 m.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Regions covered