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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2019–Apr 10th, 2019

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Wind has developed slabs around ridges and in lee features at upper elevations. If the sun comes out and temperatures rise, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as the snowpack warms, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries / west wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature -6 C / freezing level 1200 mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm snow / southwest wind, 15 gusting to 45 km/h / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1600 mTHURSDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 5-15 cm / southwest wind 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature -3 C / freezing level 1800 mFRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, flurries near the Coquihalla, up to 10 cm / southwest wind 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature 0 C / freezing level 1900 m

Avalanche Summary

A MIN report from the Whistler Backcountry here documents a skier triggered slab avalanche on a north-northeast alpine aspect on Monday. The avalanche was triggered in lee-ward terrain below a ridge feature. While outside the forecast region, the avalanche highlights a similar terrain feature that may hold wind slabs in the South Coast Inland.A natural avalanche cycle to size 2 likely occurred overnight Saturday around the Duffey; slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on north-northeasterly aspects around ridgetops and in recently loaded lee features on Sunday. Explosives also triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches on north to west aspects about 2000 m.On Saturday, small wind slab pockets were reactive to skiers in cross-loaded features at treeline.The likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase on if the sun shines, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar on north-facing alpine terrain. Wind slabs have formed around ridgetops and lee alpine features. Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.

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.

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.