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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2022–Mar 24th, 2022

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

Regions

North Columbia.

We're in the time of year where you may find a different avalanche problem on every aspect and elevation. Carefully assess your local conditions.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain switching to snow, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level 2000 m dropping to valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -7 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

The most notable avalanche on Tuesday was another persistent slab avalanche that occurred on the weak layer described in the Snowpack Summary. It occurred on a southeast aspect around 2100 m and was 30 to 50 cm deep. Although activity on this layer is decreasing, it can still be triggered by riders where it exists.

Otherwise, wet loose avalanches were observed out of steep terrain. We are expecting similar reports of widespread wet loose activity for Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Above around 2000 m, new snow will accumulate with strong south to westerly wind, possibly forming new wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below around 2000 m, a moist snow surface or hard melt-freeze crust will be found. The snow surface may moisten during daytime warming, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.

A weak layer may be found around 50 to 100 cm deep. The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain in areas sheltered from the wind and otherwise a hard melt-freeze crust associated with weak faceted grains on sun-exposed slopes (i.e., east, south, west). Check out this blog for more information. This layer continues to form a few large avalanches in the region each day, most commonly between 1800 and 2300 m on all aspects. This layer is isolated in nature so the likelihood of triggering it is low, but the consequence of doing so could be high.

There are presently no deeper concerns.

Terrain and Travel

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.