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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 19th, 2023–Feb 20th, 2023

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

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, Renshaw, Robson.

Carefully assess new snowfall amounts. size and sensitivity of storm slabs could vary throughout the region as a result of highly variable storm totals.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday one natural large cornice fall was observed. Explosive control produced a few very large deep persistent slab avalanches. These avalanches were in upper treeline and alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall amounts vary greatly throughout the region, up to 80cm of recent storm snow could be found. The recent snow is settling into storm slabs that will be most reactive where either wind has stiffened the snow or they overlie a layer of recently buried surface hoar.

The mid-pack is showing signs of strengthening. A surface hoar layer down roughly 60 to 80 cm has not produced avalanches recently but can still be found in isolated terrain features specifically sheltered, treeline, and upper below treeline.

The lower snowpack is composed of large and weak facets from November located near the base of the snowpack. Additional load or step-down avalanches over the next few days may wake this layer up.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate northwest winds and a low of -9 at 1800m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 15cm of new snow in the afternoon. Light westerly winds and temperatures at 1800m around -7.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Moderate to strong northeast winds and temperatures at 1800m falling to -21.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate easterly winds and temperatures at 1800m around -22.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.