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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 23rd, 2022–Apr 24th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Vancouver Island.

Forecast 10-20 cm of snow at upper elevations and strong southerly wind on Sunday may form small reactive wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

 Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain. 

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries/showers; 0-5 cm / Strong south wind / Low of -1 / Freezing level 1400 m.

Sunday: Snow; 10-20 cm (rain below around 1100 m), and another 5-10 cm overnight / Strong south wind / High of 6 / Freezing level 1400 m.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries/showers; 3-10 cm / Light southwest wind / High of 5 / Freezing level 1200 m.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 5-10 cm / Light southwest wind / High of 4 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Friday.

We currently have very limited avalanche observation data from this region.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Photos of current conditions and avalanches are the most helpful. 

Snowpack Summary

Forecast 10-20 cm of snow (rain below around 1100 m) and strong southerly wind on Sunday may form small reactive wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow. 

Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack. In areas where there are weak facets sitting on top of the crusts, there is potential for large natural slab avalanches when freezing levels reach mountain tops for multiple days.

Avoid large slopes and avalanche paths during periods of intense warming.

Cornices are very large and more prone to failure during periods of intense warming.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast 10-20 cm of snow (rain below around 1100 m) and strong southerly wind on Sunday may form small reactive wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

 Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features. 

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5