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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2023–Apr 9th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Southwest wind, recent snowfall, and warm temperatures may create reactive wind slabs.

Seek sheltered terrain for the best and safest riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday there were reports of two wind slab avalanches. 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

By Sunday morning up to 10 cm of recent storm snow adds to 10 to 30 cm of previous snow that is wind affected in open areas and preserved in sheltered areas above treeline. This 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

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with some clear periods, 5 cm accumulation with more in the north, winds southwest 50 to 60 km/h, freezing levels 1500 to 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy, around 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 60 to 70 km/h, freezing levels potentially getting up to 2000 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud, up to 15 cm accumulation by the morning, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50, freezing levels back up to 1600 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, 2 to 5 cm accumulation, winds southwest 25 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.

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.