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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2023–Mar 5th, 2023

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

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw.

Wind loaded areas will have the deepest and densest slabs. Be cautious in terrain with signs of recent wind effect, and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports from the recent storm of natural avalanches size 2-3 south of the Skeena as well as natural and skier triggered storm slabs and loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain to size 1.5. A large natural windslab cycle to size 3.5 was reported near Stewart, with debris running far and fast.

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm of new snow has been loaded into isolated wind slabs on many aspects from variable winds in exposed areas, while remaining lighter and softer in sheltered terrain.

A layer of small surface hoar or facets is now buried over 80 cm deep. A facet/crust layer formed in late January exists around 150 cm deep. Large avalanches were suspected to have run on this layer over a week ago.

The lower snowpack is generally well consolidated but as you move further inland where the snowpack is thinner, basal instabilities linger.

The total height of snow in the alpine varies between 450 cm near the coast and 250 cm further inland.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Possible flurries. Moderate northeasterly wind. Alpine low -10 ºC.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. Possible flurries. Easterly wind up to 30 km/h except westerly 20 km/h above 2000m. Alpine high of-15 ºC.

Monday

Mostly sunny. Moderate southerly wind. Alpine high -10 ºC.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny with increasing cloud. Variable winds becoming moderate above 2000m. Alpine high -15 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to the presence of deeply buried weak layers.

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.

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.