Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Apr 20 – 21, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Watch for fresh and reactive wind slabs forming in high leeward terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow and wind are forming fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features at upper elevations. Wind slabs may be especially reactive where they sit over a crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small handful of avalanches have been reported in the alpine over past couple of days. These have included;

  • a remotely skier-triggered size 2 failing on moist snow below the crust, in which another skier was caught but did not sustain any injury

  • a skier-controlled size 1 wind slab below an convex roll

  • a natural size 2 storm slab on a steep, west-facing moraine feature

  • a cornice failure did not propagate any weak layers on the slope below

Snowpack Summary

New snow falls over a widespread melt-freeze crust on all but high north-facing alpine terrain, where dry and/or wind affected snow may be found.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Up to 10 cm of new snow at upper elevations. 30 to 60 km/h southeast to southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

Clouds clearing. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

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