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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 6th, 2023–Mar 7th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Wind slabs may remain reactive on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.

Sheltered terrain at lower elevations will likely offer the best and safest riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Sunday.

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

A variety of winds have redistributed the 30 to 50 cm of snow that fell last week, creating wind slabs on all 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.

Snowpack depths around treeline range between 200 and 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy / Light south ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline -13 C / Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -2 C / Freezing level 1100 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -2 C / Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline -3 C / Freezing level 1100 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.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Sheltered low elevation terrain will likely offer the best and safest riding today.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

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.