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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 24th, 2023–Mar 25th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, North Okanagan, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Continue to practice good group management, high mark or ski steep slopes one at a time and minimize time below cornices.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches and natural cornice falls continue to be reported throughout the region. They are decreasing in size however.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a crust on all terrain except north facing slopes treeline and above. On these high northerly slopes new snow overlies facets and surface hoar to mountain tops.

30-50 cm down there is another sun crust on sunny aspects and surface hoar (3-10 mm) on isolated shady and sheltered slopes. Distribution of this surface hoar is spotty.

The remainder of the mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of improving but this layer remains a significant concern for human triggering in rocky, shallow, or thin-to-thick snowpack areas at treeline and above. Small avalanches and cornice falls also have the potential to trigger this deep layer.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light southwest winds and a low of -9°C at 1800 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of convective flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light westerly winds and a high of -4°C at 1800 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Light easterly winds and Freezing levels rising to 1800 m.

Monday

Clearing throughout the day with no new snow expected. Light westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

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.