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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2023–Mar 8th, 2023

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, Renshaw, Robson.

The air is cold but the March sun can be strong so avoid exposure to cornices and steer well clear of steep south aspects during periods of strong sun. Sheltered and shaded terrain will offer the best and safest riding.

Triggering large slab avalanches remains possible in steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

With periods of strong sun on Monday, two natural cornice failures occurred (size 1-2), one pulled a storm slab on the slope below.

Over the weekend, a few natural and skier-triggered wind slabs (size 1-2) were reported from south, southwest and east-facing alpine terrain as northerly winds impacted the region. One large (size 2.5) deep persistent slab was triggered by a cornice failure in very steep north-facing alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, a sun crust can be found on steep south-facing aspects and surface hoar growth has been reported in sheltered areas. Shifting winds have redistributed last week's storm snow into wind slabs on a variety of aspects. This storm snow sits over wind-affected surfaces and a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. They are showing signs of rounding but there is still a considerable step in resistance between them and the overlying snow. These facets are most pronounced in shallow rocky areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -10 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -7 °C. Ridge wind light from the east. Freezing level rises to 600 meters

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -8 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 600 meters.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -7 °C. Ridge wind light from the northeast. Freezing level rises to 400 meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.