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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2023–Apr 2nd, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast, Garibaldi, Powell River, Tantalus, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

Spring is a dynamic time of year; conditions can vary widely and change rapidly. Localized periods of heavy snowfall may form fresh, reactive storm slabs, while even short periods of strong sun can rapidly destabilize the upper snowpack.

Carefully assess your local conditions and pay attention to how the weather is affecting the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported at the time of publishing on Saturday. I suspect a natural storm slab and dry loose avalanche cycle occurred. Looking forward to Sunday natural avalanches will be possible, especially during periods of heavy snowfall or strong solar radiation. Human triggering is likely in steep and/or wind-loaded terrain.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 60 cm of new snow exists above 500 metres, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded terrain. Below this new snow, a melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends to mountain tops on sunny aspects. The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Cloudy with flurries, trace to 5 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -4 °C. Ridge wind southwest 10-25 km/h. Freezing level drops to 400 metres.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with convective flurries, localized accumulation up to 20 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind light from the southeast. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Ridge wind light from the northwest. Freezing level rises to 800 metres.

Tuesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Light ridge wind from the east. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

Problems

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.