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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2024–Mar 11th, 2024

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

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Several recent accidentally and remotely triggered avalanches have occurred.

The persistent weak layer is reaching a critical depth and the likelihood of rider triggering is increasing.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches have surprised skiers across the region over the last few days. Some were quite large and were remotely triggered from a distance, indicating a touchy snowpack over a persistent weak layer. Many groups recently traveling in the backcountry have also reported signs of instability like whumpfing and shooting cracks.

For more info click on the photos below.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find around 20 cm of soft snow in wind-sheltered and shady areas. This snow covers wind-affected surfaces or a crust on sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations.

A sun crust may have formed on the surface on steep south and west-facing slopes, and snow will be heavier and possibly moist or crusty at lower elevations. Forecast moderate to strong winds are expected to form fresh, reactive slabs in leeward terrain.

A layer of weak, faceted crystals over a crust, or surface hoar, is the primary layer of concern, buried around 40 to 80 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with 1 to 5 cm of snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures dropping to -6 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around - 5°C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m

Tuesday

Partly cloudy, with 0 to 2 cm of snow expected. 25 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m

Wednesday

Cloudy, with 2 to 5 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.

Problems

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.

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.