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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2023–Apr 17th, 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

North Rockies, Blue River, McBride, Premier, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Good riding can still be found on high elevation shady terrain. Watch for wind slabs and, if more than 15 cm of new snow falls then storm slabs too. Monday danger ratings are based on a forecast of 15 cm of new snow. If where you ride more than 20 - 25 cm of new snow arrives increase the local Danger Rating to CONSIDERABLE.

The field data upon which we build this forecast are limited; please assess conditions as you travel and adjust your objectives, terrain choices, and travel techniques to match the conditions encountered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche reports were received Saturday.

Friday's reports spoke to further evidence of Wednesday's widespread natural wind slab (up to size 3) and wet loose avalanche cycle. Explosive tests on cornices and north facing terrain released up to size 2 slabs in the storm snow. A few natural size 2 slabs were reported running on the April 1 melt-freeze crust.

Snowpack Summary

Daytime convective clouds continued to bring snow, mainly in the Cariboos and primarily at alpine elevations. On north aspects above 1600 m, recent but settling snow overlies old, faceted grains, now around 30-70 cm deep.

On solar aspects to mountaintop, and north aspects to around 2000m the recent snow either overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust or there is a crust at the surface. Solar aspects becoming moist in the afternoon, as are all aspects at lower elevations (around 1700 or 1800 m).

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. A weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack remains a concern, primarily in alpine terrain shallow or variable (thick and thin) snowpack depths.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with periods of snow; accumulations around 5 - 10 cm. Freezing level around 1000 m. Wind moderate from southwest, gusting to strong.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries with only an additional 1 to 3 cm accumulating. Freezing level climbs to around 1500 m and alpine temperatures around zero to -5 C. Light to moderate southwest winds.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level climbs to around 1800 m and alpine temperatures around zero to - 5 C. Light, gusting to moderate southwest winds.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Nil to 5 cm of snow. Freezing level climbs to around 1700 m. Alpine temperatures zero to -8 C. Light southerly wind.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.