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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2023–Apr 13th, 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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Conditions in the region vary from a capping crust with minimal lingering wind slabs to more serious and widespread wind slabs coupled with lurking deep persistent problems in higher elevation zones. Localized heavier accumulations from convective storms round out the variability! Bring your initial assessment mindset to the game on Thursday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

In addition to observing evidence of older natural storm and wind slab activity from earlier on in the storm in the Cariboos, operators from the North Rockies to the Cariboos (and beyond) observed a natural wet loose avalanche cycle focused in the later part of the day on Sunday and again on Monday. This activity occurred on all aspects and in many areas extended all the way into alpine elevations. No new avalanches were reported in the region on Tuesday with very limited observations.

Snowpack Summary

The early week storm brought a final trace to 20 cm of new snow to the region Tuesday night, mainly in the Cariboos. On north aspects above 1600 m, this added to 20-50 cm of predominantly wind-affected, settling recent storm snow which overlies old, faceted surface grains, now around 30-70 cm deep.

On solar aspects and even some north aspects to mountaintop (Barkerville area) the latest snow overlies widespread melt-freeze crust or this crust instead presents at the surface.

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 remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mainly clear with possible convective flurries bringing a trace to 5 cm of new snow to isolated areas. Light southwest winds.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3 with freezing levels around 1400-1600 m.

Friday

Sunny. Light southwest winds increasing in late afternoon. Treeline high temperatures around 0 with freezing levels to 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate south winds. Treeline high temperatures around 0 with freezing levels to 1700 m.

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.

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.