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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2021–Mar 1st, 2021

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

North Columbia.

Wind slabs are likely to be encountered and may be reactive to human triggering. Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, and recent avalanches.

There is still the potential to trigger persistent weak layers. Choose conservative terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, 5 cm / moderate to strong southwest wind / alpine low temperature near -8 / freezing level 1400 m

MONDAY - Mainly cloudy with a few flurries, 5 cm / moderate to strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1500 m

TUESDAY - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / moderate southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -7 / freezing level 1200 m

WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate south wind / alpine high temperature near -5 / freezing level 1400 m

Avalanche Summary

There was a widespread avalanche cycle during the storm last weekend and into last Monday with avalanches reported up to size 4. 

Since the storm eased off early last week, there have been daily reports of natural and explosives-triggered avalanches between size 1-3, and human-triggered avalanches between size 1-2. The size and frequency of these avalanches have decreased slightly each day since the storm ended.

The following are reports of a few notable avalanches from the past week.

On Friday there was a report of a human-triggered size 2 avalanche that resulted in a full burial in a cutblock near Blue River. Check out the MIN report here.

On Wednesday there were two explosives-triggered size 3 persistent slab avalanches reported on east to southeast aspects around treeline, east of Revelstoke near Albert Canyon. These were notable as they failed on the late January persistent weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

The region has received 60-100 cm in the past week. Deep wind deposits may be found in lee terrain features in the alpine and open treeline areas, and will likely remain reactive to human triggers. All of this new snow sits over weak, faceted snow from the recent cold snap. 

There is now 80-120 cm of snow above the late January persistent weak layer which is composed of surface hoar in sheltered areas in the trees and/ or a crust on steep solar aspects. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.