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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2025–Mar 2nd, 2025

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

Regions

Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Weak layers exist in the snowpack, and conditions are primed for human triggering. Use extra caution around sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a natural wind slab (12 hours old) was observed in a zone called the Onion. This released on a north aspect at 1650 m.

On Thursday, the NW Field Team triggered a (size 1.5) wind slab on an east-facing slope at 1740 m. The crown was 40 cm thick, 50 m wide and ran 100 m. It ran on the faceted layer below.

Wind-loaded slopes at upper elevations are most suspect and may be primed for human-triggered slab avalanches through the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures, new snow, and strong wind are stiffening the upper (40 to 60 cm) of the snowpack, forming a more cohesive slab. Deeper deposits of wind-loaded snow can be found at treeline and above on northerly facing slopes. South-facing slopes have been scoured by the wind. Loose, low-density snow exists in terrain sheltered from the wind.

This slab sits above a variety of old snow surfaces, including soft, faceted snow in sheltered terrain and wind-affected snow in exposed terrain. This layer is showing reactivity in snowpack testing.

A facet/crust layer from early December is buried approximately 70 to 110 cm deep. This layer is generally not a concern in this region at this time.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with light flurries 1-3 cm. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy in the morning, clearing in the afternoon. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures 0. Freezing level 1400 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -1. Freezing level 1200 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures 0. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.

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.