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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2019–Feb 23rd, 2019

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Though avalanche occurrences are becoming less frequent, the possibility of triggering persistent slabs and wind slabs still exists. A cautious approach to backcountry travel is recommended.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine low temperature near -17SATURDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -17SUNDAY - Sunny with cloudy periods / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -16MONDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / northeast winds, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature near -18

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few natural and human triggered size 1-1.5 avalanches were reported.On Wednesday, there were reports of several human triggered size 1 wind slab avalanches. Check out this MIN report from Wednesday.There were no avalanches reported Sunday through Tuesday.Last Saturday, a persistent slab avalanche was triggered by a skier on a north aspect on a 30 degree slope. Check out the MIN report here. These sorts of avalanches are becoming less frequent, but they are still possible and the consequences are high.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5 cm of new snow fell on Friday with moderate to strong southwest winds. The new snow sits on top of approximately 10-30 cm of low density snow in some areas, and wind slabs in other areas. Due to previous variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects, mainly in the alpine and at treeline. A weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried anywhere from 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow). The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be easy for humans to trigger in certain locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.

Problems

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.

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.