Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for changing conditions. Wind is forming recent snow into fresh, reactive slabs.

In areas seeing heavier snowfall, storm slabs will get deeper and more reactive through the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Looking forward, we expect human triggered avalanches to be possible to likely, depending on the amount of new snow.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall amounts will likely vary across the forecast area. By the end of the day on Sunday, Expect 10-40 cm of new snow. This covers 40 cm of settling snow that sits on a widespread crust in all but sheltered, north-facing slopes where isolated pockets of surface hoar and/or faceted grains may exist below the recent snow.

Moderate to strong south or southwest winds will likely be forming deeper, more reactive deposits of snow in leeward terrain.

Previously problematic layers deeper in the snowpack appear to have bonded and strengthened, however, there is a small chance that they could remain a risk in steep, north-facing, high alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy. Generally 0 to 5 cm of snow expected to near valley bottom, up to 10 cm closer to the coast. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -7 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy. Generally 3 to 5 cm of snow expected to near valley bottom, 15 to 30 cm closer to the coast. Moderate to strong south ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 7 to 15 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Soft, loose surface snow is being redistributed into exposed lee terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Through the day on Sunday, areas closer to the coast, (around Prince Rupert and Kitimat), could receive 25-40 cm of snow, which would create a storm slab avalanche problem, and make human triggered avalanches likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2024 4:00PM

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