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, 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, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast.

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 - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Freezing levels drop to 500 m. Light northerly winds.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with light easterly winds. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Isolated flurries possible with trace amounts expected.

MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light to moderate northeast winds. Freezing levels reach 1000 m.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snow, 5-10 cm expected. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels reach 800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday. We would expect small natural and human triggered avalanches out of wind loaded features at higher elevations.

Wet avalanche activity occurred on Thursday out of steep south facing features as the sun affected the surface snow.

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of new snow can be found at high elevations, sitting over a melt freeze crust or moist snow. Strong southwest winds have redistributed this storm snow into pockets of wind loading on north and east facing slopes.

A widespread and supportive melt freeze crust is buried 60-110 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. This crust has produced avalanches within the last 5 days, however recent reports suggest that this crust is bonding well to the snow above it.

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

Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

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.

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.