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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2024–Mar 4th, 2024

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

Regions

Glacier.

Natural avalanche activity is decreasing but human triggered avalanches are still occurring and will continue for some time to come!

Stick to conservative terrain, and be aware of who is above and below you.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Last week, a group triggered a size 3 in the Camp West area, failing on the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer.

Natural avalanches from overnight Friday from Mt Macdonald put dust and branches on the highway.

A skier-triggered sz 2 slab popped mid-run on Avalanche Crest Sunday.

We continue to see daily reports in the region of human triggered avalanches on the Feb 3rd layer - many failing in small forest openings.

Snowpack Summary

We have ~140cms of settled (storm) snow from several recent storms.

Moderate to strong south winds loaded lee features during the storm last week. Winds switched to the N early Saturday, reverse loading slopes in the Alpine and Tree-line.

Below the storm snow, a layer of faceted/sugary crystals sits on the Feb 3rd crust forming a significant persistent weak layer and will be the main layer of concern for the foreseeable future.

Weather Summary

Unsettled weather through southern BC will bring convective flurries to the region and cool temps. Snow amounts will vary from basin to basin.

Tonight: Cloudy, isolated flurries, Alp low -11°C light W winds.

Mon: Cloudy/sunny periods & isolated flurries, Alp high -11°C, light/mod W winds.

Tues: Cloudy/flurries, Alp high -14°C, light W ridgetop winds.

Wed: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -14°C, light W winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, avoid terrain where triggering slopes from below is possible

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.