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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2024–Mar 5th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Dangerous Avalanche Conditions.

Beware of overhead and adjacent slopes. Remote triggering is a concern, avalanches have run full path.

Solar input could further weaken the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Check out this MIN for photos of sled triggered avalanches in Allan Creek and this one for a skier triggered avalanche.

Human and naturally triggered avalanche activity continues throughout the region with avalanches ranging in size from 1.5 to 3.5. Some avalanches have  run full path to valley bottom. Many human triggered avalanches have been remotely triggered and also resulted in sympathetics.

We expect this type of avalanche activity to continue.

Snowpack Summary

The wind has come from a variety of directions, wind effect could be found on all exposed terrain at higher elevations. A new crust or moist snow will be found on south and west facing slopes.

40 to 80 cm overlies a layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on south and west-facing slopes.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 120 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. The snowpack below this crust is generally not concerning except in shallow alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature  -15°C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -13°C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -11°C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 35 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.

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.

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.