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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2023–Apr 10th, 2023

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

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Any available snow may be redistributed by southwest winds creating wind slabs at higher elevations.

Sheltered areas at the treeline will offer the best and safest riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday there were reports of two wind slab avalanches. Both of these avalanches were accidentally triggered by skiers with one of them being triggered remotely. Both occurred in the alpine on northwest aspects. The depth of these avalanches was 30 to 40 cm. There was no involvement in either instance.

On Wednesday, a few natural thin windslab avalanches were observed in the alpine. A siker accidental size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northeast slope at 2150 m.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed most available snow and created fresh wind slabs at most elevations. By Monday morning around 12 cm of new snow will have fallen and added to building wind slabs. In sheltered areas above treeline, a possible 40 cm of snow unaffected by the winds may be found. In both cases, the top layer of the snowpack overlies a widespread crust on most aspects except north-facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy, up to 12 cm accumulation with the highest amounts to the south, winds southwest 60 to 70 km/h dusting to 80, freezing levels coming down to around 1000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation potentially more in the southern portions of our region, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60, freezing levels back up to 1500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h, freezing levels starting at 500 m and climbing to 1500 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, 2 cm accumulation, winds west 30 km/h, freezing levels to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.