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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 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

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

Wind slabs are the main concern. Keep in mind you may find them on a variety of aspects with winds switching direction.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday there were reports of a few size 2.5 naturally triggered windslab avalanches on northerly and southerly aspects in the alpine in the Birkenhead area and in the south Chilcotin.

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow accumulation is being redistributed by moderate southwest winds switching to north and northeast.

A melt-freeze crust from late January can found down 60-80 cm. At the moment this layer appears to be gaining strength though in isolated areas small facets can still found above the crust.

There is a widespread weak layer of large sugary of facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity on this layer has been confined to northern parts of the region in the Chilcotins. Snowpack depths around treeline range between 150 to 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with clear breaks. Light to moderate north east. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate north east wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • 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.