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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 21st, 2023–Mar 22nd, 2023

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

Regions

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

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on northerly aspects in the alpine.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Two naturally triggered large (size 2-2.5) deep persistent slabs were reported on northerly aspects in the alpine on Monday. One was triggered by a cornice fall in the Renshaw zone and the other occurred in the Premier range.

Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on sunny aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find a melt-freeze crust on the surface of all aspects at treeline and below and on sunny aspects in the alpine. Solar radiation will break down the crust on sunny slopes throughout the day.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on northerly aspects in the alpine.

20-30 cm down there is a sun crust on sunny aspects and surface hoar (3-10 mm) on isolated shady and sheltered slopes.

The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story..

The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of improving but this layer remains a significant concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clear skies / 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -10 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Wednesday

Sunny / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1800 m

Thursday

Mostly sunny / 20 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -4 C / Freezing level 1700 m

Friday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -7 C / Freezing level 1300 m

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
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.

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.

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.