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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2024–Mar 4th, 2024

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Esplanade, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Retallack.

Avoid Avalanche Terrain

Beware of overhead and adjacent slopes. Remote triggering is a concern, avalanches have run full path

We have received a report of a serious incident near Revelstoke

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Human and naturally triggered avalanche activity continues throughout the region with avalanches ranging in size from 2 to 4. Some avalanches have  run full path to valley bottom. Many human triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered and also resulted in sympathetics.

We expect human triggered avalanche activity to continue.

Snowpack Summary

The wind has come from a variety of directions, wind effect could be found on all exposed terrain at higher elevations. A new crust could be found on south and west facing slopes as well as all aspects at low elevations..

50 to 110 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 70 to 140 cm deep and extends up to 2400 m. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h south alpine wind.  Treeline temperature -11°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with around 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 25 km/h southwest to west alpine wind. Treeline temperature  -10°C.

Tuesday

Clearing skies throughout the day with up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -11°C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.

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.