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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2023–Apr 8th, 2023

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

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

Use caution on north and east alpine slopes where strong winds are building fresh wind slabs that are possible to human trigger.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the region on Thursday.

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 2150m.

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

+5 cm of recent storm snow adds to 10-30 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

Friday Night

Mainly cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, 1-4 cm accumulation. Ridgetop wind 40-60 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels will fluctuate around 800-1300 m. Treeline temperature low of -3 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop wind 50-70 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels 1600 m. Treeline temperature high of 0 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 1-4 cm accumulation. Ridgetop wind 60-80 km/h from the southwest. Freezing levels of 2000 m.

Flurries continue through the night bringing 7-11 cm of new snow.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Ridgetop wind 30 km/h from the west. Freezing levels of 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.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme 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.

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.