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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2019–Feb 9th, 2019

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

Regions

Cariboos.

There is potential for triggering large avalanches treeline and below due to the presence of a persistent slab problem. Click here to see our Forecasters' Blog for a more detailed description of current conditions.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Cold, dry, arctic air continues to dominate the weather pattern for the foreseeable future.FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, around -25 C in the alpine, potentially strong valley bottom wind event, moderate to strong east/southeast wind in the alpine, no significant snowfall expected. SATURDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, around -25 C in the alpine, light winds at most elevations, light to moderate east/northeast wind at ridgetop, no significant snowfall expected.SUNDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, potentially strong valley bottom wind event, light southeast wind in the alpine, no significant snowfall expectedMONDAY: Clear skies, freezing level at valley bottom, around -20 C in the alpine, light variable wind at all elevations, no significant snowfall expected.

Avalanche Summary

A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January continues to be reactive to human triggers. This layer is sensitive enough for avalanches to be triggered remotely (from a distance). Human triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. This layer has been the most reactive at treeline and below, although there have been a few reports of its presence in isolated sheltered areas in the alpine. Click here to see a Mountain Information Network post that described conditions in Allen Creek on Wednesday.Several wind slab avalanches to size 1.5 were reported running on a variety of aspects in the alpine on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.

Problems

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.

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.