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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2022–Apr 23rd, 2022

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Fresh wind slabs are expected to form throughout the day. Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

If you see greater than 20 cm of new snow in your riding area, treat the avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation in coastal areas. Moderate to strong southerly winds. Freezing level around 1300 m.

SATURDAY: Continued snowfall will become mixed with rain at lower elevations. Freezing level 1000 to 1400 m. Snowfall accumulation at higher elevations of 5 to 20 cm, heaviest in coastal areas. Strong to extreme wind from the south.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with precipitation, 5-10 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Freezing level 1400 m. Moderate to strong southerly winds. 

MONDAY: Cloudy with light flurries. Freezing level 1400 m. Light southerly winds. 

Avalanche Summary

A small skier-triggered wind slab was reported near Terrace on Wednesday (size 1). This avalanche occurred on a convex roll in the alpine and failed on a slick melt-freeze crust. 

Numerous wet loose avalanches (size 1-2) were observed on steep solar aspects on Thursday afternoon as a result of strong solar radiation. 

Looking forward to Saturday, fresh wind slabs are expected to be reactive to human-triggering in the alpine and treeline, particularly where they overlie a crust, facetted snow, or surface hoar. Wet loose avalanches will be possible at low elevations with rain and warm temperatures. These avalanches will likely be limited to small releases on isolated slopes in extreme terrain.

Snowpack Summary

New snow and southerly winds are expected to create fresh deposits of wind slab in the alpine and treeline. This 5-20 cm of new snow overlies heavily wind-affected and facetted surfaces, the product of strong outflow wind and cold temperatures early last week. A crust can be found on steep solar aspects. Below 1200 m, a more widespread crust exists at or near the surface, which may break down throughout the day with rain and warm temperatures. Above 1200 m, 40-100 cm overlies another hard melt-freeze crust from late March.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • 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.