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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2022–Apr 9th, 2022

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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

As freezing levels drop storm snow at higher elevations may remain reactive to human triggers. Watch for changing conditions as you gain elevation, and as you transition into wind affected terrain. 

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected. Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures remain cool over the weekend. Convective activity may bring short and localized bursts of snowfall.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing levels drop to 500 m overnight. Scattered flurries continue, with moderate westerly winds and cloudy skies. 

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries of up to 3 cm. Freezing levels around 1000 m. Moderate westerly winds.

SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries possible. Freezing levels reach 1100 m. Light westerly winds. 

MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light easterly winds. Freezing levels reach 1300 m. 

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, warm temperatures and sun triggered size 1-1.5 natural wet avalanche activity on south facing slopes. Natural activity is expected to have continued overnight on all aspects from heavy rain, snow and wind.  

Small storm slabs were triggered by riders on many aspects. Of note, a size 2 avalanche was remotely triggered on the crust buried in late March, 70 cm deep on a west aspect at 1900 m. Avalanche activity is expected to decrease as freezing levels drop. 

On Wednesday, several natural and rider triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on all aspects to size 2. Previous natural activity from the storm was observed to size 3. Cornice falls were also reported, some triggering slab avalanches on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

At high elevations 10-30 cm of recent wind affected storm snow sits over moist snow, observed to around 2200m. Southwest winds have likely created deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. 

A widespread and supportive crust is buried 60-120 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. This crust has been very reactive to human and natural triggers within the last 5 days, but reports suggest is beginning to bond. Avalanches on this layer are harder to trigger but will be larger and more destructive. 

Lower elevations hold wet snow from heavy rainfall, that will form a substantial crust as temperatures fall. 

The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.