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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2023–Apr 3rd, 2023

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

Regions

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

Spring is a dynamic time of year where conditions can vary widely and change rapidly. Localized convective snowfall can appear out of nowhere and even short periods of strong sun can rapidly destabilize the upper snowpack.

Carefully assess your local conditions and pay attention to how the weather is affecting the snowpack throughout the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1) loose dry avalanches out of steep northerly aspects on the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

A moist or crusty surface has formed on southerly aspects treeline and below. 10 to 30 cm of recent snow sits over moist or crusty surfaces in most areas except for shaded terrain above 1600 m. The new snow is expected to bond well to the old layers, but could potentially be poor where dry snow sits over a hard crust. The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries bringing a few cm. Light northeasterly wind. Alpine low -5 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Monday

Mostly sunny with convective flurries possible. Light northwesterly wind. Alpine high -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine high -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Wednesday

Flurries bringing 5-10 cm. Southwest wind increasing to strong. Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.

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.