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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2023–Mar 14th, 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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Inland, Kispiox, Microwave-Sinclair, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, South Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Continue to assess for wind slabs in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Riders observed evidence of naturally triggered wind slab avalanches from the past few days, mostly occurring on north aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 cm of snow overlies large (10 mm) surface hoar crystals in terrain sheltered from the wind. Wind affected snow is predominant on all aspects in wind-exposed terrain due to variable wind directions. A hard melt-freeze crust is likely found on sun-exposed slopes.

Several hard crusts with associated weak facets and/or weak layers of surface hoar can be found in the top 150 cm of the snowpack. These layers haven't produced recent avalanche activity or alarming snowpack test results but they remain on our radar.

The lower snowpack consists of weak basal facets, which may become active with any rapid change to the snowpack, such as rapid loading (e.g., heavy snowfall, cornice fall) or prolonged and extensive warming. Avoiding thin and rocky slopes is still recommended.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 to 30 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 30 to 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -5 °C, freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

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.