Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2023–Apr 14th, 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.

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

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Southern sections have received the most snow recently and that's where the main avalanche concerns are found. Higher elevations, especially shady or north facing terrain, is where you're most likely to encounter wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The reports we received on Wednesday indicate a widespread wind slab avalanche cycle up to size 3 in the Cariboo Mtns. Additionally small loose dry avalanches at high elevations and loose wet slides on all aspects and elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Storms have continued to bring snow, mainly in the Cariboos, and primarily at alpine elevations. On north aspects above 1600 m, this 20-50 cm of predominantly wind-affected, settling snow overlies old, faceted grains, now around 30-70 cm deep.

On solar aspects and even some north aspects to mountaintop (e.g. west side of the Cariboos like Barkerville ) either the recent snow overlies widespread melt-freeze crust or this crust is at the surface.

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 at alpine elevations with variable snowpack depths.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Late day convective flurries ending in the evening. Alpine low temperatures near -12 C. Light southwest wind.

Friday

Mostly sunny. Dry. Light southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0 with freezing levels to 1500 m.

Saturday

Increasingly cloudy with isolated flurries. WInd increasing to moderate south or southwest. Treeline high temperatures around 0 with freezing levels to 1700 m.

Sunday

Warming temperatures with single digit above zero at treeline. Continued moderate southerly wind. Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
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.