Avalanche Advisory

---------- Terrace & Coastal Areas ----------
  Saturday Sunday Monday
Alpine 3 - CONSIDERABLE 3 - CONSIDERABLE 4 - HIGH
Treeline 3 - CONSIDERABLE 3 - CONSIDERABLE 4 - HIGH
Below Treeline 2 - MODERATE 2 - MODERATE 3 - CONSIDERABLE
---------- Smithers & Interior Sections ----------
  Saturday Sunday Monday
Alpine 3 - CONSIDERABLE 3 - CONSIDERABLE 4 - HIGH
Treeline 3 - CONSIDERABLE 2 - MODERATE 3 - CONSIDERABLE
Below Treeline 2 - MODERATE 2 - MODERATE 3 - CONSIDERABLE
 
Confidence: Fair. There is uncertainty regarding the timing and intensity of forecast storms.
Primary Concerns:
  • Wind Slab: Snow and wind have loaded (and will continue to load) NW-NE slopes and created wind slabs on the lee side of exposed ridges and terrain features.
  • Persistent Slab: A variety of weak layers buried deeper in the snowpack means that there is potential to trigger a large avalanche.
  • Cornice: Cornices continue to grow with additional snow and wind.

Special Message:   In an effort to prevent further tragedies, we have compiled a photo analysis from a few recent incidents (click here).
We hope this information will help all backcountry users with future
decision making in avalanche terrain. Updated on 090328 by LB.

Travel Advisory:  
Issued: Fri, Mar 27 Next Scheduled Update: Mon, Mar 30

Terrain is the one factor in the avalanche equation that we can control
- use it to your advantage.  Persistent weak layers (PWLs) deeper in
the snowpack mean that there is potential for avalanches involving new
storm snow layers to step down and become large and very destructive.
Keep this thought in your head when choosing slopes to ski and ride.
I'd avoid convex roll overs, steep slopes, shallow rocky areas and
slopes with terrain traps.
Be wary of areas where triggerable wind slabs are likely (typically the
NW-NE side of exposed ridges and terrain features). There is
uncertainty in the timing and intensity of the forecast storms, so keep
an eye on the weather and be prepared to adjust your travel plans
accordingly.

Avalanche Activity:  
Issued: Fri, Mar 27 Next Scheduled Update: Mon, Mar 30

A slope test initiated in the Howsons by intentionally cutting a large cornice produced a size 3.0
avalanche failing on a facet layer buried down approximately 120 cm -
this result indicates the potential for wide propagation if one of the
deeper weak layers is triggered. See the sidebar for details regarding
a size 3.0 avalanche triggered by a snowmobile in the South Douglas
area.  Several human-triggered avalanches to size 2.0 were also reported over the past few days, typically involving lee, loaded terrain features. Several whumpfs also occurred as a result of skiers regrouping in below treeline areas.

Snowpack:  
Issued: Fri, Mar 27 Next Scheduled Update: Mon, Mar 30

Storm snow amounts since Wednesday vary across the region (approx. 2 cm
in Smithers and 25 cm near Terrace). SW winds have created slabs on the
north through east sides of exposed ridges and terrain features. Expect
to find crusts in the upper snowpack on south aspects and at lower
elevations (below approx. 1000 m). Reports from the Terrace area
mention that a surface hoar layer present on some shaded aspects was buried by Thursdays snowfall.
There are several PWLs buried deeper in the snowpack that are producing moderate to hard sudden "pops" and "drops" in compression tests  - the depth and distribution of these layers varies across the region. The uppermost (consisting of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust) is approximately 40 cm deep in the inland section and 70-140 cm deep in the coastal part of the region.


View Avalanche Observation Summary

(NEW!)

Weather:  
Issued: Fri, Mar 27 Next Scheduled Update: Mon, Mar 30

A series of storms bring snow and moderate W-SW winds through the
weekend. The freezing level is forecast to remain at or below 500 m
until late in the day on Monday.
Forecast snowfall values are as follows:
Saturday: 5-15 cm in Terrace, trace amounts in Smithers.
Sunday: A slight break in systems. Less than 5 cm in Terrace, trace amounts in Smithers.
Monday: Moderate to heavy snow. 20-30 cm in Terrace, 10-15 cm in Smithers.


Issued by: Laura Bakermans

Important Notice: This is a regional forecast and significant variation may
exist within the forecast area. The information and danger ratings are intended
as a trip planning aid for recreational, backcountry users of avalanche
terrain; they are not meant to be used as the sole factor in determining the
avalanche danger presented by a specific slope. Always include local weather,
snowpack and avalanche observations in your decision to travel in avalanche
terrain. Observations and experience may lead to different conclusions from
what is reported or recommended. See disclaimer for further details. The
technical data used to produce these bulletins is obtained from a variety of
sources, including various government agencies and private companies that
participate in an industry-wide daily information exchange program. These
contributors provide data, resources, and funding without which the Canadian
Avalanche Centre could not provide this avalanche information.

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