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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2023–Apr 11th, 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

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

Lingering wind slabs will persist at higher elevations.

Sheltered areas at the treeline will offer the best and safest riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A local operator on Sunday was able to trigger three wind slab avalanches reaching size 1.5 with the use of explosives.

On Friday there were reports of two wind slab avalanches. Both of these avalanches were accidentally triggered by skiers with one of them being triggered remotely. Both occurred in the alpine on northwest aspects. The depth of these avalanches was 30 to 40 cm. There was no involvement in either instance.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed most available snow and created fresh wind slabs at most elevations. Recent snowfall amounts up to 20 to 25 cm. In sheltered areas above treeline, a possible 40 cm of snow unaffected by the winds may be found. Whether the top layer of snow is wind affected or not, it will overlie a widespread crust on most aspects except north-facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer is still a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mainly cloudy, trace accumulation, winds southwest 25 km/h, freezing levels cooling to 1000 m by morning.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, 5 to potentially 10 cm accumulation, winds variable and light, freezing levels up to 1400 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, 2 to 5 cm accumulation by morning, winds west 20 to 30 km/h, freezing levels to 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with some sunny periods, 2 cm accumulation, winds southwest 15 to 25 km/h gusting to 35, freezing levels starting at the valley bottom and climbing to 1500 m by end of day.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

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.