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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2021–Mar 23rd, 2021

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, 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

Sea To Sky.

Watch for wind slabs in steep open terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light northwest wind, treeline temperatures drop to -7 C.

TUESDAY: Sunny in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, 20-40 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing up to 10-15 cm of new snow throughout the day, 30-50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny, light northwest wind, treeline temperatures around -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche reports during Sunday's storm were limited to a few small (size 1) storm slab avalanches, primarily on wind affected slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow is settling but may still be blown around in open terrain by westerly wind. Stormy weather since Thursday has delivered about 30 cm of snow to the Whistler area and closer to 50 cm further west and south. This snow sits above a widespread crust, with the exception of high north-facing terrain. Observations suggest the snow has bonded well to these old interfaces. There are currently no concerning weak layers in the snowpack, although a spotty early season facet layer deep in the snowpack could return as a problem later in the season.

Remember that cornices along ridgelines are large at this time of year and always have the possibility of failing naturally or from the weight of a human.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.