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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2023–Apr 16th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
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.

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Tetrahedron.

Avoid avalanche terrain. Rapid loading from snowfall and wind is likely to induce a natural avalanche cycle.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the past couple days but observations are limited this time of year.

We expect that a natural avalanche cycle will occur on Sunday.

If you are venturing into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing snowfall accompanied by southerly wind will continue to add to the storm slab problem with the largest being found on west through east aspects. This storm snow will overlie a crust on all terrain except north facing above 1000 m.

Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack. Below this is a well settled snowpack.

Thanks for the details! MIN

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Stormy with 20 to 30 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southeast winds and a low of -2°C at 1200 m.

Sunday

Stormy with 20 to 40 cm of new snow expected. Strong southeast winds and Freezing levels around 1300 m. Snowline falling to 600 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with  up to 20 cm of new snow possible. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -3°C at 1200 m.

Tuesday

Stormy with up to 20 cm possible. Light to moderate southerly winds and a high of -3°C at 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

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.

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.