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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 23rd, 2022–Apr 24th, 2022

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Carefully assess steep lines for wind slab and limit exposure to slopes with cornices above.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow at higher elevations. Freezing level falling to 1200 m. Moderate south wind.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong south winds and freezing levels rising to 2500 m.

Monday: 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations with moderate south winds. Freezing level around 2000 m.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow at higher elevations. Light variable winds and freezing levels around 1900 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days. We suspect that small pockets of wind slab could be found in the alpine. As the sun comes out small wet loose avalanches are possible.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow and pockets of wind slab can still be found on high north facing terrain. The upper snowpack contains several crusts that extend up to mountain tops on solar aspects. Moist snow will likely be observed on solar aspects and at lower elevations.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

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.