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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 15th, 2025–Mar 16th, 2025

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

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina, North Monashee, Robson.

 Avalanche activity continues as the recent storm snow is slow to stabilize.

Continue to choose conservative terrain, as the likelihood of triggering large avalanches remains elevated.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday near the southern boundary of the forecast region, numerous large to very large (size 3-4) persistent slab avalanches where triggered utilizing explosives. These avalanches ran far and in one case 1500 m. Near Mcbride, a few small to large (size 1-2) natural and human triggered avalanches where observed in both alpine and treeline . Near Valemount, a very large natural avalanche released (see photo for more info).

Snowpack Summary

60 to 90 cm of storm snow has accumulated over the past 7 days. All this snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust found everywhere except north-facing slopes above 1600 m. There may also be isolated surface hoar crystals above the crust in wind-sheltered terrain around treeline. Southwest wind may have formed deeper and touchier deposits in lee terrain features at high elevations.

A weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains buried mid-February is around 70 to 120 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is well-settled.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear becoming cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with periods of sun in the afternoon 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with periods of sun in the afternoon 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with periods of sun in the afternoon ,1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Problems

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.

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.