Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 24th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Danger is considerable in isolated areas that received 30+ cm of recent new snow such as the mountains near Wells and Barkerville. Fresh storm slabs may be likely to human trigger.
Small wind slabs below ridgetops are the primary concern for the rest of the region.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, light northwest winds, alpine low -15 C, freezing level valley bottom.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, light northwest winds, alpine high -6 C, freezing level 900 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy with possible flurries; 0-3 cm, moderate west winds, alpine high -2 C, freezing level 1200 m.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm, moderate to strong west winds, alpine high 0 C, freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past week, avalanche activity was reported as natural loose wet and dry avalanches (up to size 2) running on steep, sun exposed slopes. There were also reports of cornices failing in the alpine on northerly aspects (up to size 2.5).
There are currently no professional operations reporting in the region and the data stream is very limited.
Snowpack Summary
Most of the region picked up a few cm of snow Sunday with light wind, but areas near Barkerville/Wells picked up 30 cm of new snow by the end of the day Monday.
The new snow rests on a variety of snow surfaces, consisting of sun crusts, hard wind-affected snow, and soft faceted snow. There are limited observations in the region, but neighboring regions have reported surface hoar forming on sheltered, shady slopes. It will be important to track the depth, cohesiveness, and bond of the new snow to these various old snow surfaces across aspects and elevations where you are travelling.
Cornices are large and looming. A weak layer of surface hoar buried at the end of February may be found 50-100 cm deep, except in the northern tip of the region. Avalanche activity on this layer was last reported March 6th.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
In most of the region the problem is limited to high elevation wind slabs as only a few cm of new snow fell Sunday.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
This problem applies to the areas around Wells, BC, that got more than 30 cm of new snow Sunday into Monday. In all areas that got more than 20 cm of new snow, watch for fresh storm slabs, the new snow may be resting on a variety of potential weak layers. These slabs could be surprisingly sensitive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 25th, 2020 5:00PM
