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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2023–Mar 28th, 2023

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

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Tune in to the changing conditions of elevation, aspect, and time of day.

Be cautious in steep, rocky and wind-affected terrain where triggering a slab is most likely. Avoid steep sun-exposed slopes and overhead hazards during periods of strong sun.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

In the past few days avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1) wet loose avalanches on steep solar aspects and a few natural cornice failures that did not pull slabs on the slopes below.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Cool, clear weather has promoted surface faceting and surface hoar growth. A crust exist on the surface on all aspects below 1800 m and up to at least 2000 m on solar aspects.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts.

The lower snowpack is composed of weak basal facets. This layer has produced limited recent avalanche activity, however it can quickly become active again with any significant change to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged and extensive warming.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -5 °C. Ridge wind northeast 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind light from the northeast. Freezing level rises to 2000 metres.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 1 °C. Ridge wind east 10-20 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.

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.