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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2024–Mar 9th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Retallack, Whatshan.

Human triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported in the region. Stick to low consequence terrain. Check out our Forecaster's Blog on recent avalanche activity.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The number of reports continues to decrease, however, large rider, natural and explosives-triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported throughout the region. Some avalanches have run full path to the valley bottom. Many human-triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered (from a distance).

Last Sunday a fatal avalanche incident occurred north of Revelstoke. It was size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 2000 m. View the report.

Snowpack Summary

A crust could be found on steep south and west-facing terrain at or just below the surface. Exposed terrain at higher elevations has been affected by recent wind blowing from a variety of directions.

50 to 120 cm overlies a variety of potential weak layers, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 80 to 160 cm deep and extends up to 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of weak facets above it.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

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.

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.