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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2023–Mar 19th, 2023

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

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, Renshaw, Robson.

20-30 cm thick storm slabs formed earlier in the week may continue to be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations at upper elevations.

Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A naturally triggered size 2.5 wet loose avalanche was reported on a southwest aspect in the alpine near Valemount on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find a melt-freeze crust on the surface of all aspects at treeline and below and on sunny aspects in the alpine. Solar radiation will break down the crust on sunny slopes throughout the day.

Strong solar radiation has settled the 20-30 cm of recent snow into a storm slab which may remain reactive to human triggers in isolated locations at upper elevations.

Strong south wind during the storm earlier in the week added to slab formation on lee aspects at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of surfaces. These include sun crust on sunny aspects and surface hoar (3-10 mm) on some shady and sheltered slopes.

The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story..

The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of improving but this layer remains a significant concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies / 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -10 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Sunday

Sunny / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1700 m

Monday

Sunny / 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 1800 m

Tuesday

Sunny / 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -5 C / Freezing level 1500 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.