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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2024–Apr 22nd, 2024

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Watch for reactivity within the wind affected pockets of storm snow, especially where it overlies the crust.

Minimize your exposure to sun affected slopes, including overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. We expect small slabs may have occurred on Sunday with the fresh snow and strong winds - reactivity may linger in wind-affected features. With full sun on Monday, wet loose avalanches are possible on steep, south-facing slopes within the new snow.

If you have any recent photos or observations, please submit them to the Mountain Information Network, observations are limited in the spring.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow of 5-15 cm can be found, redistributed into wind affected deposits on north and east facing slopes near ridgeline. This recent snow sits over a widespread crust present on all slopes except high elevation, north facing terrain.

Below treeline terrain is snow free or has very low snow cover. Travel conditions are challenging with exposed rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with flurries ending early evening. 20-30 km/h westerly winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

Monday

Mostly clear skies with 10-20 km/h east winds. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m. 10-20 km/h southeast winds. Treeline temperatures around +1 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels remain around 2000 m. 20-30 km/h southwest winds. Treeline temperatures around +1 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels drop to 1500 m. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.

Problems

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.

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.