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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 11th, 2024–Mar 12th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

Dangerous and challenging avalanche conditions exist. Uncertainty is best managed by choosing simple, low-angle terrain and avoiding being under steep slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several size 2 human-triggered avalanches were reported over the weekend. They occurred both within storm snow layers (40 to 60 cm deep) and on the persistent weak layer (100 cm deep). Riders also reported whumpfing and cracking.

Snowpack Summary

Storm slabs will grow with another pulse of snow and wind expected on Tuesday. Recent storm totals are now 40 to 60 cm, with alpine terrain heavily wind-affected. Storm snow covers a variety of layers including surface hoar in isolated shady areas.

A weak layer composed of facets on a crust is buried 80 to 150 cm deep. This layer remains sensitive to both human and natural triggers and is capable of producing large avalanches.

The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 45 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries throughout the morning with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C with freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C with freezing level rising to 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.