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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 6th, 2019–Apr 7th, 2019
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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

Regions: Northwest Coastal.

Strong southerly wind and continued snowfall Saturday night into Sunday are expected to form fresh storm slabs that rest on a widespread crust. The best riding and highest danger are expected to overlap on high elevation north facing features.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The weather models are having a pretty tough time getting a handle on the current pattern and the region received less precipitation than anticipated Friday night. Saturday nights precipitation will likely be heaviest in the southern portion of the region, but continue to take the wind and precipitation values as suggestions, some places may not get any snow while others receive 20+ cm of convective snow.SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1500 m, moderate to strong south/southeast wind, trace to 20 cm of snow. SUNDAY: Overcast, freezing level around 1200 m, strong south/southwest wind, 2 to 8 cm of snow possible.MONDAY: Overcast, freezing level holding around 1200 m, moderate to strong south/southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow.TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level holding around 1200 m, moderate south/southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday loose wet avalanches to size 1 were reported as storm snow slid on the April 4th crust. A few natural size 1 to 1.5 wind slabs were reported Saturday morning. If you're out this weekend we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 40 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Strong wind generally out of the south Friday night likely formed fresh slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering this weekend.North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

10 to 40 cm of storm snow rests on a widespread crust with up to 20 more cm expected by Sunday. Strong southerly winds are forming fresh slabs in high elevation north facing features which will likely be sensitive to human triggering Sunday.
Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.Fresh snow rests on a widespread crust, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2