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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2021–Apr 9th, 2021

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

South Coast Inland.

Fresh wind slabs may be building at upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or hollow sounds.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night - Cloudy with clear periods / moderate southwest wind / alpine low temperature near -8 / freezing level at or near valley bottom

Friday - Flurries, 5-10 cm, with another 10-20 cm overnight / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -8 / freezing level 1000 m

Saturday - A mix of sun and cloud / light to moderate northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -10 / freezing level 1000 m 

Sunday - Mainly sunny / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1700 m

Avalanche Summary

Fresh and reactive wind slabs may form throughout the day with strong southwest wind.

A natural avalanche cycle was observed in the region on Saturday during the last storm. 

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of snow is expected to fall on Friday, bringing this week's storm snow totals to about 15-30 cm. Strong southwest wind is forecast on Friday, which will may form fresh and reactive wind slabs in lee terrain.

The recent storm snow sits on a crust in most areas, except on north aspects above about 1500 m where it sits on either wind slabs or soft snow.

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.