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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2012–Mar 4th, 2012

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

Regions

Northwest Inland.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

The next wave of the storm is focused on the Central Coast region around Bella Coola. Areas to the north are not expected to get more than about 10 cm on Saturday night, and another 5 cm by noon Sunday. The freezing level is expected to rise to about 700 metres on Sunday and then drop down to the valley bottoms by Monday morning. There is a chance of some convective flurries on Monday before the weak ridge of high pressure brings drier conditions. The next Pacific frontal system is forecast for Tuesday. Expect heavy precipitation and strong westerly winds with a rising freezing level.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported from the region. Persistent weak layers continue to be buried by incremental loads of new snow. The forecast storm for Tuesday may overload the weak layers that are down about 60cm.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm of new snow was blown around by the wind on Saturday developing thin new windslabs at ridgetops. Currently, up to 60cm of snow sits over the mid February interface. This interface is variable, it consists of a strong melt freeze crust below 1000m, above 1000 m exists facets, surface hoar (in more sheltered areas), sun crust or wind press. The surface hoar is not widespread but is responsible for much of the larger avalanches that occurred earlier this week. This layer should be on your radar, as it may be susceptible to rider triggers.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.