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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2023–Mar 10th, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, South Island, West Island.

The sun at this time of year can pack a punch so watch for signs of warming in recent snow on steep south aspects. In the north island around Mt Cain, wind slabs may be especially reactive due to an underlying crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations in the past 2 days.

Explosive control work produced size 1-2 storm/wind slab avalanches on Monday and Tuesday in the Mt Washington area.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of recent snow has been redistributed at upper elevations. At lower elevations, it continues to settle amid mild temperatures. A sun crust or moist snow may exist on steep solar aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack is well consolidated, containing a series of well-bonded crusts.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Clear. Wind easing to light northeast. Alpine low -5 ˚C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. Light westerly wind. Alpine high of 0 ˚C.

Saturday

Snowfall starting, around 5 cm. Moderate southwesterly wind. Alpine high -1 ˚C.

Sunday

15-30 cm of new snow. Strong southwesterly wind. Alpine high -1 ˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.