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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2023–Apr 16th, 2023

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

Regions

Cariboos, North Columbia, North Rockies, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

If you can manage the access, good riding can still be found on high elevation shady terrain. Watch for isolated wind slabs and don't forget about the deep snowpack problem which will remain until it melts.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Friday's reports spoke to further evidence of Wednesday's widespread natural wind slab and wet loose avalanche cycle. Explosive tests on cornices and north facing terrain released up to size 2 slabs in the storm snow. A few natural size 2 slabs were reported running on the April 1 melt-freeze crust.

The reports we received on Wednesday indicate a widespread wind slab avalanche cycle up to size 3 in the Cariboo Mtns. Additionally small loose dry avalanches at high elevations and loose wet slides on all aspects and elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Daytime convective clouds continue to bring snow, mainly in the Cariboos and primarily at alpine elevations. On north aspects above 1600 m, the 20-50 cm of recent but settling snow overlies old, faceted grains, now around 30-70 cm deep.

On solar aspects to mountaintop, and even some north aspects to around 2000m the recent snow either overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust or this crust is at the surface. Solar aspects are becoming moist in the afternoon, as are all aspects at lower elevations (around 1700 or 1800 m).

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. A weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack remains a concern, primarily in alpine terrain shallow or variable (thick and thin) snowpack depths.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level falling to around 1500 m. Moderate SW wind.

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries during the day. Freezing level around 2100 m. Moderate southerly wind. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Snow picks up after the sun sets with up to 10 cm of snow by Monday morning.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries with only an additional 1 to 3 cm accumulating. Freezing level around 1500 m and treeline temperatures around -5 to -10 C. Light to moderate westerly winds.

Tuesday:

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level around 1600 m and treeline temperatures around -3 to - 8 C. Light, gusting to moderate southwest winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
  • Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.