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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2012–Mar 14th, 2012

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: light snowfall - strong southwest winds - freezing level at 700m Thursday: moderate to heavy snowfall (starting Wednesday evening and continuing throughout Thursday) - strong southwest winds - freezing level at 1100m Friday: light snowfall - moderate southwest winds - freezing level at 800m

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche observations have been fairly limited due to inclement weather. Having said that, explosives controlled and natural avalanches to size 2.5 were reported having reacted on a variety of aspects. Mostly storm instabilities were observed; however, in some cases avalanches stepped down to persistent weaknesses buried in early February. A size 3 cornice collapse was also reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow accumulations have been variable throughout the region, but mostly moderate daily accumulations and moderate to strong winds have been responsible for extensive wind transport at higher elevations, and recently developed wind slabs now exist at treeline and in the alpine. In the mid snowpack lies the mid-February surface hoar. Buried well over a metre down, this surface hoar may exist in combination with crusts or facets. These persistent weaknesses have remained reactive and are an ongoing concern at all elevations as avalanches may be unexpectedly large and destructive. Large cornices have formed and could also act as a trigger on the slope below.

Problems

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.

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.

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.