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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 27th, 2023–Feb 28th, 2023

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

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley.

Expect to find wind slabs created this past weekend in exposed areas.

Seek out sheltered and low-consequence terrain but be careful of dry loose avalanches for the best and safest riding.

Triggering a deep persistent slab remains possible, especially in areas with a thin snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Since the weekend there have been numerous reports of storm slab, wind slab, and as well dry loose avalanches.

On Thursday a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche occurred naturally near Kispiox. It was on a steep, alpine feature, failing near rocks at ridgecrest. On Wednesday at Hudson Bay Mountain, a size 2.5 deep persistent slab avalanche was triggered by a cornice fall. Several size 2-3 explosive-controlled deep persistent slab avalanches also occurred near Ningunsaw.

If you go into the backcountry this weekend, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Although it is calm now, the previous southwest winds have redistributed recent low-density snow. Wind slabs and recent snow may be covering a firm, wind-affected surface in all exposed areas. In sheltered areas, surface faceting due to cold temperatures and/or soft surface snow may remain.

Several crusts, layers of facets, or surface hoar can be found in the top 150 cm of the snowpack. This mid-pack is generally showing good strength.

Weak layers of note are facets near the bottom of the snowpack, 150 to 200 cm below the surface.

The total height of snow at treeline is between 200 and 280 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation, winds southeast 10 km/h, treeline temperatures -12 ºC.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, trace accumulation, winds northerly 15 km/h, treeline temperatures -10 ºC.

Wednesday

Cloudy, 8 cm accumulation, winds southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50, treeline temperatures hovering around -10 ºC.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, trace to 5 cm accumulation, winds 30 km/h gusting to 70, treeline temperatures -10 to -5 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.

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.