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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2022–Mar 24th, 2022

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, 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.

Regions

Cariboos.

We're in the time of year where you may find a different avalanche problem on every aspect and elevation. Carefully assess your local conditions.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level rising to 1400 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -3 C.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed on Tuesday. Although reports aren't in yet, it is expected that widespread wet loose avalanches were observed out of steep terrain on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Above around 2000 m, upwards of 10 cm of snow may accumulate with strong westerly wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below 2000 m, moist snow or a hard melt-freeze crust are found. The snow surface may moisten during daytime warming, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.

A weak layer may be found around 40 to 60 cm deep, which has been most prominent in the south of the region (e.g., access points between Clearwater and Valemount). The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain in areas sheltered from the wind and otherwise a hard melt-freeze crust associated with weak faceted grains on sun-exposed slopes (i.e., east, south, west). Avalanche activity has decreased over the past few days, but the layer should be treated as suspect anywhere it exists. Check out this blog for more information.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.