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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2024–Mar 3rd, 2024

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Seek out wind-sheltered terrain at treeline and below where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday a large (size 2) avalanche was reported at Hankin (photo below, full details in this MIN.)

No other recent avalanches have been reported, but field observations have been very limited.

Snowpack Summary

In alpine and open treeline areas, 15 to 30 cm of wind-affected snow sits over a variety of surfaces including facets over a crust, old hard wind slabs, or surface hoar. The surface hoar is most likely to be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Soft snow and good riding can still be found in wind-sheltered areas.

Another layer of weak, faceted crystals and a crust may be found buried 30 to 60 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 35 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -19 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -22 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 25 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

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.

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.