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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2021–Apr 5th, 2021

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.
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 slabs may linger up high. Use caution during the heat of the day as cornices and the recent snow warm up.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 20 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

MONDAY: Clear skies, 10 km/h west wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level rising to 2000 m.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1800 m.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle was observed in the region on Saturday during the storm. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders at high elevations and a warming trend has the potential to increase avalanche activity as the snowpack weakens.

Snowpack Summary

Saturday's storm brought 15 to 25 cm around the Hurley and Duffey, 15 cm around Coquihalla, and 5 cm around Manning, all above around 1600 m. The snow fell with strong southwest wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at high elevations. The snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except for north aspects above around 1600 m, where it fell onto previously dry snow. The snow surface may have already melted and frozen into a crust on sun-exposed aspects. Warm air and sunny skies will likely moisten the snow on Monday, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

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.

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.

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.