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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2012–Mar 11th, 2012

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: 15-25cm of snow - moderate southwest winds - freezing level at 1100m Monday: light snowfall - moderate to strong southwest winds - freezing level at 800m Tuesday: very light snowfall - moderate southwest winds - freezing level at surface. Confidence is fair in snowfall amounts forecast for Sunday

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche observations were extremely limited on Thursday and Friday; however, natural avalanches to size 2.5 were observed on Wednesday. On the same day, it was suspected that cornice fall was the trigger for a size 3.5 slab on a west facing alpine feature. Several skier-triggered size 1.5 avalanches within the recent storm snow were also reported in the region. Expect ongoing storm slab avalanches as well as deep persistent slab avalanches throughout the forecast period, especially with weather forecast for Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent moderate snow accumulations and strong winds have created extensive wind transport at higher elevations, and recently developed hard and soft wind slabs now exist at treeline and in the alpine. In the mid snowpack lies the mid-February surface hoar. Buried over a metre down, this surface hoar may exist in combination with crusts or facets. These persistent weaknesses have remained reactive all week and are an ongoing concern at all elevations as avalanches may be unexpectedly large, and destructive. Large cornices have formed and could also act as a trigger on the slope below.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.