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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 25th, 2023–Apr 26th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Regions

Cariboos, North Columbia, North Rockies, South Columbia, Blue River, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Whatshan.

Be diligent in making ongoing assessments. This time of year conditions and hazard will vary greatly from one slope to another and can change quickly throughout the day.

If in doubt choose more conservative terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche observations are limited this time of year but we are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the high freezing levels in the forecast.

Please help out your fellow backcountry users by filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Thanks for the great details in this MIN.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine dry snow can still be found on north facing terrain. In the morning dry snow may be found on south facing terrain but it will quickly become moist when the sun pokes out. At treeline a crust over moist snow will likely be found in the morning but it will break down with day time warming. Below treeline the snowpack is diminishing , moist or wet snow will be found at this elevation.

A layer of surface hoar and a crust from March 31 persists down roughly 50 to 100 cm at treeline and above. This layer remains a concern on sheltered terrain at upper treeline where surface hoar may still exist. Additional crusts can be found in the upper snowpack.

The base of the snowpack in many areas is made up of facets and even depth hoar in shallow areas. As freezing levels rise this layer will pose a serious concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy with up to 5 mm of precipitation expected, snow at treeline and above with rain below. Moderate westerly wind and Freezing levels falling to treeline.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 15 mm of precipitation possible, rain at treeline and below with moist snow in the alpine. Moderate to strong westerly winds and freezing level rising to mountain tops or near mountain tops.

Thursday

Mostly sunny with no new precipitation expected. Moderate to strong northwest winds and freezing level rising to 2500 in the north and 3200 in the south.

Friday

Sunny with no new precipitation expected. Light to moderate westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 3000 in the north and 3500 in the south.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.

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.