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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2023–Mar 6th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw.

Wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects due to recently shifting wind direction. The air is cold but the March sun can be strong so avoid exposure to cornices and watch for signs of warming on steep south aspects.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, there were a few reports of storm slab avalanches, a size 2.5 triggered by a cornice fall and a size 1.5 accidentally triggered by a skier.

Large to very large (size 2-3.5) natural storm and wind slab avalanches were observed during the recent storm.

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm of new snow has been loaded into isolated wind slabs on many aspects from variable winds in exposed areas, while remaining lighter and softer in sheltered terrain.

A layer of small surface hoar or facets is now buried over 80 cm deep. A facet/crust layer formed in late January exists around 150 cm deep. Large avalanches were suspected to have run on this layer in mid February.

The lower snowpack is generally well consolidated but as you move further inland where the snowpack is thinner, basal instabilities linger.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Scattered cloud. Moderate easterly wind. Alpine low -17 ºC.

Monday

Mostly sunny. Moderate easterly wind easing to light. Alpine high -15 ºC.

Tuesday

Increasing cloud. Light variable wind. Alpine high -14 ºC.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. Strong southeast wind. Alpine high -9 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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.