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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 19th, 2023–Mar 20th, 2023

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, North Okanagan, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers in isolated locations at upper elevations.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A naturally triggered size 2 wind slab was reported on a north aspect in the alpine on Saturday.

Additionally, two natural and numerous explosive triggered cornice falls up to size 2.5 were reported on north aspects in the alpine. None of them triggered slabs on the slopes below.

A remotely triggered size 2 storm slab avalanche was reported on a north aspect in the alpine on Friday. The slab was 30-40 cm deep and failed on a crust. See MIN.

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.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers in isolated locations at upper elevations.

30-50 cm down there is a sun crust on sunny aspects and surface hoar (3-10 mm) on isolated 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

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -6 C / Freezing level valley bottom

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud / 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1700 m

Tuesday

Sunny / 10 km/h north ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -3 C / Freezing level 1700 m

Wednesday

Sunny / 10 km/h north ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 0 C / Freezing level 2000 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.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

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.

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.