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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2024–Apr 16th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Watch for wind slab reactivity in the alpine. Elsewhere a surface crust will limit avalanche activity.

Give cornices space - on ridgelines and on the slopes below.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Strong sunshine and rising temperatures produced loose wet avalanches to size 2.5 over the past few days.

While cooler temperatures on Tuesday will limit the potential for wet avalanche activity, reactivity may linger in high elevation, north facing terrain features where dry snow remains.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust likely exists at all elevations, except on north-facing slopes which is expected to limit avalanche activity. Wind-affected dry snow still exists on north-facing alpine slopes above 2000 m, up to 30 cm deep. With changing forecast winds you may see new isolated wind slabs form on southerly facing slopes.

Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear periods with some clouds and possible snow up to 5 cm. 15-30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Sunny with isolated flurries up to 5 cm. 15-30 km/h northerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. 10-20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10-20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level around 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.