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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2014–Apr 16th, 2014

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

Sea To Sky.

This bulletin has been produced using very limited field data. If you've been out in the mountains we'd love to hear about what you've seen. Observations can be sent to [email protected]

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cloudy with flurries and isolated sunny breaks. The freezing level is around 1500 m and ridge winds are light to moderate from the south. Thursday: Cloudy with flurries or periods of snow – 15-30 cm. The freezing level is around 1200-1400 m. Winds are moderate from the S-SE.  Friday: Cloudy with sunny breaks and a chance of flurries. The freezing level is around 1500 m and ridge winds are light.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose wet activity was reported from steep sun exposed slopes on Monday. Over the past few days several cornice collapses were reported including a size 3 release on Forger Peak in Garibaldi Park. In the Rutherford area a few size 2.5 cornice releases triggered slab avalanches in steep terrain to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

A melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects up to 2000 m and to mountain top on previously sun-exposed slopes. Dryer snow can be found on high northerly aspects. The recent warmer temperatures have helped to strengthen and settle the upper snowpack. Large sagging cornices are looming over slopes and pose a threat, especially when the sun comes out.The deep and destructive early February facet/crust layer is now close to 200 cm below the surface. This layer is largely dormant at this time; however, it should remain on your radar, especially when freezing levels are high and the sun is shining.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.