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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 6th, 2023–Mar 7th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Don't let good visibility lure you into dangerous terrain. Wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects due to recently shifting wind direction. The air is cold but the March sun can be strong so avoid exposure to cornices and watch for signs of warming on steep south aspects. Thin rocky areas will remain a concern for triggering deeply buried weak layers in this complex snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

In the past couple of days, a few natural and skier-triggered wind slabs have been reported from south, southwest and east-facing alpine terrain as northerly winds impacted the region. One large (size 2.5) deep persistent slab was triggered by a cornice failure in very steep north-facing alpine terrain.

Read more about managing the deep persistent slab problem in our latest Forecaster Blog.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, a sun crust can be found on steep south-facing aspects and surface hoar growth has been reported in sheltered areas. Shifting winds have redistributed recent storm snow into wind slabs on a variety of aspects. This storm snow sits over wind-affected surfaces and a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of rounding but there is still a considerable step in resistance between them and the overlying snow. These facets are most pronounced in shallow rocky areas.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Clear periods. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -16 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -13 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 500-1000 meters.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -13 °C. Light ridge wind from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 600-1100 meters.

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -14 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 1000 meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.