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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2021–Mar 10th, 2021

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on steep, convex slopes below alpine ridgetops. A persistent slab problem may still be possible to trigger in isolated areas in the northwest of the region and warrants continued consideration.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

  

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 2-5 cm. / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -13 / Freezing level valley bottom.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Sunny / Moderate, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -5 / Freezing level 1200 m.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in this region on Monday.

A widespread avalanche cycle occurred in this region at the end of last week (around March 4-5) in response to intense wind loading and rapid warming.

Snowpack Summary

Crusty snow surfaces exist up to around 1600 m and even higher on slopes that have been exposed to direct sunshine. Cornices are present along ridgelines.

In the last week of February and the first week of March, a number of large avalanches were reported on persistent weak layers in the Cariboos. The layers of primary concern are a 50-100 cm deep layer of facets that was buried in mid-February, a 50-150 cm deep layer of surface hoar from early February that was most prevalent at treeline (and existed as a facet/crust combination on steep south-facing terrain), and finally another persistent weak layer from late January that is now roughly 100-150 cm deep. Evidence suggests these weak layers have become hard to trigger, particularly in areas to the south and east, but it's too early to write these layers off completely.

Terrain and Travel

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.