Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2025–Mar 23rd, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina, North Monashee.

Avoid complex and wind-loaded terrain.

Storm slabs will be building throughout Sunday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Fri: A very large size 3 persistent slab occurred near Blue River on a south-facing treeline slope.

Thurs: A very large (size 2.5) dry loose avalanche happened near Blue River on a south-facing alpine slope.

Wed: Two small (size 1) skier-triggered wind slabs occurred at treeline on a northeast-facing slope

With new snow and wind in the forecast, we expect storm slabs to become increasingly reactive on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow is expected to fall overnight and through Sunday and will build widespread new storm slabs. Due to forecast winds, these slabs are expected to be thickest and most reactive on wind-loaded north and east-facing slopes. Snow may be moist or wet at lower elevations.

Three persistent weak layers consisting of surface hoar, facets, or a crust may be found in the upper to mid-snowpack:

The early March layer down 50 - 100 cm. This is the primary weak layer of concern.
Mid-Feb layer down 70 - 150 cm.
Late-Jan layer down 120 - 180 cm.

The lingering concern for the Feb and Jan weak layers is in shallow or rocky areas, otherwise, these are unlikely to trigger without a significant load.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow, up to 15 cm coming Sunday night. 35 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow / light rain below 1500 m. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 15 to 20 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

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.

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.