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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2024–Apr 21st, 2024

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Watch for signs of instability as you travel - new snow may not bond well with the crust below.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Recent sunshine and warm temperatures triggered wet loose avalanches and cornice falls over the last few days. With storm snow and wind forecast, potential increases for storm slab avalanches to occur on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

By Sunday afternoon around 10 cm of storm snow may have fallen, overlying a widespread crust. The bond between old and new snow may be poor, creating reactive conditions. Deeper and more reactive deposits are expected near ridglines, on north and east facing slopes.

Below treeline terrain has low snow cover, this storm snow will not change that. Travel conditions are challenging with exposed (or barely hidden) rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Saturday

Cloudy with rain turning to snow, around 8 cm possible. Freezing levels drop to 1200 m by morning. 40-50 km/h southwest winds.

Sunday

Cloudy with another 3 cm of snow possible in the morning 20-40 km/h southwesterly winds. Freezing levels around 1500 m, treeline temperatures around -2 °C.

Monday

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

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with 10-20 km/h southwest winds. Freezing levels rise to 2000 m. Treeline temperatures of +1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

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.