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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2023–Apr 8th, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island.

Watch for changing conditions as you travel through different aspects and elevations. Expect drier and more reactive snow at higher elevations, especially in wind-affected terrain. At low elevations, surface conditions may remain moist - creating ideal conditions for wet avalanche activity.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle of loose and slab avalanche activity occurred throughout the storm to size 1.5. Explosive control work on Thursday produced avalanches to size 1.5.

Terrain that experienced sunny breaks on Friday also saw increased natural activity within the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Below 1000 m rainfall has saturated the snowpack. Moist surface snow will most likely remain as rainfall continues at low elevations.

Above 1000m, between 30 and 50 cm of storm snow can be found sitting with higher accumulations towards the west coast. Above 1500 m snow is mostly dry and has been redistributed into deeper deposits on north-facing terrain features by strong southerly winds. Between 1000-1500 m a mix of dry and moist snow can be found, with a thin mid-storm melt-freeze crust in areas.

The storm snow sits over a melt freeze crust at mid elevations, and over settling dry snow at high elevations on shaded slopes. The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with snow starting late evening, 10-15 cm possible by morning. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

Saturday

Snow returns, 10-15 cm. Strong to extreme southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

Sunday

Snowfall continues around 20 cm is possible above the snow line. Strong to extreme southerly winds. Freezing levels rise towards 1500 m, while heavy snowfall is occurring, snow is expected above 1000 m.

Monday

Cloudy with light southwest winds. No snowfall expected. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.