Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 9th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
trettie,
Avalanche Canada
Assess for wind slab as you gain elevation. Southeasterly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee features in the alpine which may be reactive to human triggers.
Minimize time travelling on slopes below cornices. In shallow snowpack areas a cornice fall could trigger a deep persistent slab avalanche.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A cornice triggered size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine in the Duffey zone on Tuesday. No significant avalanches were reported on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
A new sun crust exists on or near the surface on solar aspects. Recent southeasterly winds have formed wind slabs near ridge crests on northerly aspects. These slabs sit on a variety of surfaces including sun crusts, facets, and previous wind effect. These recent winds have also formed large cornices. Around 20 cm of soft snow can be found in sheltered terrain.
The mid-snowpack is well consolidated.
This is not the case for the lower snowpack. There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity on this layer has been confined to northern parts of the region in the Chilcotins. This layer remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with the possibility of flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light easterly winds and a low of -10°C at 1800 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Light easterly winds shifting to light southwest winds in the afternoon. High of -5°C at 1800 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -5°C at 1800 m.
Sunday
Stormy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive on a variety of aspects near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer is most likely to be problematic in steep, wind-loaded terrain where the snowpack depth varies from thick to thin. Especially in the northern part of the region around the Chilcotins, Birkenhead, and Hurley.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 10th, 2023 4:00PM
