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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2021–Mar 9th, 2021

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Wind slabs may be found at higher elevations. Also watch out for weakening cornices and wet snow on solar aspects during the heat of the day. The consequence of triggering a deeper weak layer would be high.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 10 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

TUESDAY: Clear skies, 10 to 30 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1000 m.

WEDNESDAY: Clear skies, 30 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy, 30 km/h west wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

With good visibility, no new natural avalanches were observed on Sunday, with the exception of some small loose wet avalanches out of steep, southerly terrain from the heat of the day. Explosives mostly triggered small (size 1) results within the most recent storm snow. The most recent persistent slab avalanche was from Saturday along Highway 16 west of Terrace.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain on all aspects from recent moderate wind from variable directions. In sheltered terrain, around 30 cm of soft snow may be found. Relatively mild conditions and sunny skies may wet the snow on southerly aspects and at lower elevations and make cornices more likely to be triggered.

Around 100 to 200 cm overlies a persistent weak layers buried in mid-February that may still be a concern in parts of the region. The layer consists of feathery surface hoar crystals in areas sheltered from the wind and sugary faceted grains that formed during February's cold snap. Avalanche activity on this layer has mostly occurred west of Terrace along Highway 16 in the past week, but the layer could still be of concern anywhere it exists.

There are currently no layers of concern in the mid and lower snowpack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.