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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2023–Mar 19th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson.

Buried surface hoar continues to be reactive, especially in wind loaded features.

Stick to conservative terrain free from overhead hazard, and watch for signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent storm snow remains reactive to human triggers, primarily failing on the buried surface hoar layer at treeline and in wind affected features. Numerous natural and rider accidental slab avalanches have been reported to size 2, including several remotely triggered slabs.

Explosive control work produced size 2.5 avalanches on the surface hoar/melt freeze crust interface.

Loose wet avalanches were reported to size 2 from low elevations as freezing level rose, and on south facing slopes due to sun affect.

Snowpack Summary

Southwest winds have created reactive deposits of wind slab on north to east facing terrain features near ridges. A melt freeze crust or moist snow exists on the surface at low elevations and on sun affected slopes into treeline elevations.

Up to 50 cm overlies large surface hoar crystals in terrain sheltered from the wind and sun, wind-affected snow in wind exposed terrain, and a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-affected slopes.

Another layer of surface hoar and/or weak faceted grains may be found about 60 cm deep, particularly on shaded aspects near treeline.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Increasing cloud with moderate to strong southerly winds. Freezing levels vary - mostly dropping below 1000 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall beginning early morning, 5 cm over the day and another 5 cm possible overnight. Strong southeast winds. Freezing levels reach 1200 m. Alpine high temperature of -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with moderate southeasterly winds. Light snowfall continues with another 5 cm possible. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m. Alpine high temperature around -7 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with moderate southeasterly winds. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.