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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2022–Mar 23rd, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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 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

Cariboos.

Warm air and rain may destabilize the snowpack at lower elevations, with new slabs potentially forming up high. Head out with a conservative mindset, particularly in the south where a weak layer lingers.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation trace to 3 cm above the rain-snow line, 40 to 60 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 2100 m.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with rain or snow, accumulation 5 to 15 cm snow above the rain-snow line and rain below, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 m.

THURSDAY: Early-morning snowfall then clear skies, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, 20 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

Small avalanches were triggered by riders on Monday, generally consisting of recent storm snow but one on the weak layer described in the snowpack summary in the south of the region. Persistent slab avalanches have mostly occurred between 1500 and 2200 m and on all aspects. This layer should be treated as suspect anywhere it exists.

Snowpack Summary

Freezing levels reached the lower alpine, warming up the snowpack. Rain is forecast to fall below around 2000 m on Wednesday, with snow above. Rain will destabilize the snowpack, increasing the likelihood of wet loose avalanches. Up high, new wind slabs may form from snow and southwest wind.

A weak layer may be found around 40 to 60 cm deep, which has been most prominent in the south of the region (e.g., access points between Clearwater and Valemount). The layer consists of surface hoar crystals in treeline terrain in areas sheltered from the wind and otherwise a hard melt-freeze crust associated with weak faceted grains on sun-exposed slopes (i.e., east, south, west). This layer continues to form large avalanches in the south of the region. Check out this blog for more information.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.