Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 7th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Deep Persistent Slabs.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A skier triggered size 1 wind slab was reported on a northeast aspect in the alpine near Mt. Currie on Monday.
Several people were caught in wind slab avalanches in the Duffey Lake area on Saturday. They occurred on southerly aspects at treeline. MIN 1. MIN 2.
Snowpack Summary
Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating.
Sun crust on sunny aspects. Southeasterly winds formed wind slabs on numerous aspects at treeline and above. These slabs sit on a variety of surfaces including sun crusts, facets, and previous wind effect.
The mid-snowpack is well consolidated. This is not the case for the lower snowpack. There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity on this layer has been confined to northern parts of the region in the Chilcotins.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies / Light south ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline -12 C / Freezing level valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -1 C / Freezing level 1300 m.
Thursday
Sunny / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -2 C / Freezing level 1100 m.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -4 C / Freezing level 800 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.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may remain reactive on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and may fail with daytime heating. Cornice failures act as heavy triggers and can trigger large avalanches on slopes that a single rider would not trigger.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most likely to be problematic in steep, unsupported, wind-loaded terrain in the northern part of the region around the Chilcotins, Birkenhead, and Hurley.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 8th, 2023 4:00PM
