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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 13th, 2024–Mar 14th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Babine, Hudson Bay, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, Northwest Inland, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Persistent slabs remain prime for human-triggered avalanches, especially at treeline.

The likelihood of triggering will increase with each day of warm weather.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, large persistent slab and wind slab avalanches (up to size 2.5) occurred naturally on east slopes at treeline and alpine, respectively. Whumpfs and shooting cracks were also observed at treeline. Large avalanches continue to surprise skiers across the region, with several remotely triggered from a distance from low-angle or flat terrain.

For more information, click on the photos below.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find up to 25 cm of settled snow in wind-sheltered and shady areas. This snow covers wind-affected surfaces or a crust on sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations. A layer of weak, faceted crystals over a crust, or surface hoar, is the primary layer of concern, buried around 40 to 80 cm.

A sun crust may have formed on the surface on steep south and west-facing slopes, and snow will be heavier and possibly moist or crusty at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around 0 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with no precipitation, 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with no precipitation, 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around +9 °C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Several recent avalanches in the region continue to be triggered on a layer of buried surface hoar or weak, sugary facets overlying a crust. Use caution in shallow areas where triggering these avalanches is most likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

Steady strong wind will continue to develop fresh, reactive slabs in leeward terrain. If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2