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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2022–Apr 17th, 2022

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

Northwest Coastal.

Hazards left in the wake of the outflow wind event earlier in the week are on a good track toward stabilizing. Continue treating cornices and steep, loaded features near ridgecrests with caution.

Be sure to check out the newest forecaster blog as you plan your spring objectives.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear. Light southwest winds. 

SUNDAY: Sunny. Light south winds. Treeline high temperatures around -1 to 0.

MONDAY: Becoming cloudy with light flurries beginning in the afternoon with a trace of new snow. Moderate to strong east winds. Treeline high temperatures around -2.

TUESDAY: Diminishing cloud and flurries with 5-10 cm of new snow from overnight. Light east or northeast winds. Treeline high temperatures around -3.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday, however a few new and recent cornice releases were observed, failing to trigger slabs on slopes below.

On Thursday, explosives triggered wind slabs size 1-2 on south-southeast aspects. A skier triggered a size 1 wind slab on a northwest aspect at 1700 m. Additionally, a vary large (size 3.5) natural cornice failure triggered a deep slab on the steep slope below which ran full path. On Wednesday in the north of the region, several natural wind slabs (size 1.5-2) were observed in the alpine as a result of strong outflow winds loading west-facing aspects. One natural cornice failure was also observed (size 2.5) that did not pull a slab on the slope below.

Numerous natural wind slabs (size 2-3) were observed in the alpine on Monday and Tuesday as a result of northeasterly outflow winds. These wind slabs mainly occurred on west-facing slopes. Looking forward, wind slabs may still exist in lee areas in the alpine and exposed treeline. Riders should minimize overhead exposure to cornices and give them a wide berth when travelling at ridge crest. 

Snowpack Summary

Open terrain has been affected by strong outflow wind that scoured east-facing slopes and loaded snow onto west-facing slopes on Monday and Tuesday. Sheltered areas may still have soft snow. Below 1200 m, a widespread crust exists on the surface. Above 1200 m, 40 to 80 cm of settled storm snow rests on a hard melt-freeze crust from late March. The snow has been bonding to this crust.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

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.

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.