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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2023–Apr 17th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

30-40 cm of new snow and strong southerly wind have formed large storm slabs that will be reactive to human triggers on Monday.

Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well-supported, low-consequence lines and watch for signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Saturday. However, observations are very limited during this time of year and we expect a natural avalanche cycle to have occurred overnight Saturday with storm slabs failing on all aspects at upper elevations.

Observations are very limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of new snow and strong southerly wind have formed large and reactive storm slabs.

Below the new snow, a melt-freeze crust likely exists on all aspects below 1400 m.

The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with flurries; 3-15 cm / 40 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -4 C / Freezing level 500 m

Monday

Cloudy with flurries; 3-20 cm / 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 900 m

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / 20 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1000 m

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / 30 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1000 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

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.