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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 31st, 2024–Apr 1st, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

While the best riding conditions may be found on north facing, alpine slopes - persistent weak layers may still be reactive here.

Watch for changing surface conditions on sunny slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a size 1 rider triggered slab was reported. While the slab was only 10 cm deep, this shows the potential of small avalanches in steep or unsupported terrain features.

We are still awaiting observations but expect a loose wet avalanche cycle to have occurred during the rapid warm up on Sunday, and to continue on Monday. There is also potential for the persistent slab problem to reactivate in the warm temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 cm of moist or wet surface snow sits over a widespread crust. On steep south facing slopes the crust below may also break down in the warm temperatures.

The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is buried 80-150 cm deep. While no recent avalanche activity has been observed on this layer, it continues to produce concerning snowpack test results. It has become a low-probability, high-consequence problem on north-facing slopes above 2000 m. It is uncertain how this layer will react to rising temperatures.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2500 m. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h suthwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2500 m. Treeline temperatures near +2 °C.

Tuesday

Freezing levels remain above 2000 m overnight and throughout Tuesday. A mix of sun and cloud with flurries starting in the afternoon, around 5 cm. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C.

Wednesday

Overnight freezing level drops below 1000 m. 5-15 cm of new snow overnight then clearing to a mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1300 m. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.