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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2022–Apr 10th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Monitor surface snow and watch for changing conditions as you transition through aspect and elevations.

Wet avalanches are possible on south facing terrain features affected by strong sunshine & wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations. 

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with flurries of up to 5 cm. Freezing levels drop to valley bottom. Light northerly winds.

SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Trace amounts likely for most areas, isolated convection may bring up to 10 cm for southern areas. Freezing levels reach 1200 m. Light to moderate northeast winds. 

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels reach 1200 m. Light northeast winds. 

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of snow, freezing levels reach 1000 m. Light easterly winds. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday.

On Thursday, several size 1.5 slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and riders. Natural wet avalanche activity was observed to size 1.5 on south facing slopes in many areas. 

Avalanches on the buried March crust were last reported on Tuesday with two remotely triggered storm slabs observed at 2000 m in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

At high elevations 5-20 cm of recent wind affected storm snow sits over moist snow, observed to around 2000m. Southwest winds have likely created deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. 

A widespread and supportive crust is buried around 40-60 cm deep, below more recent settling storm snow. This crust has been reactive to human and natural triggers within the last 5 days, but reports suggest it is beginning to bond well. 

Lower elevations hold a widespread crust that may soften over the day on south facing slopes during periods of sun. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.