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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2019–Apr 17th, 2019

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

Regions

North Columbia.

Be cautious of reactive deposits of fresh snow around ridges and in lee terrain. As freezing levels rise or the snowpack turns moist, the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation / southwest wind, 20-50 km/h / alpine low -3 C / freezing level 1500 m

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / southwest wind, 25 gusting to 55 km/h / alpine high 0 C / freezing level 2000 m

THURSDAY: Snow and wet flurries, 15-25 cm rain and snow / southwest wind, 30-55 km/h / alpine high +2 C / freezing level 2300 m

FRIDAY: Cloudy with scattered wet flurries, 5-10 cm / west wind, 15-30 km/h / alpine high +2 C / freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 storm slab from 10 m away on a steep north-facing feature in the alpine; the crown was 20-30 cm deep. A size 2 natural avalanche was observed on a steep east aspect at 2200; the crown was 50 cm deep.

On Sunday, two size 2 storm slab avalanches were triggered by skiers on east aspects at 2200 m. A group of backcountry skiers remote triggered a size 2 storm slab avalanche from 50 m away, failing on a southeast slope at 2250 m. One natural size 2 storm slab avalanche was observed on a steep, north aspect also around 2200-2300 m.

Snowpack Summary

Sun and rising freezing levels are settling the 20-40 cm recent snow on all slopes to 2000 m and sunny slopes in the alpine. Where dry snow remains, pockets of reactive storm snow have developed around ridges and lee features. A total of 50-65 cm snowfall through April now overlies a melt-freeze crust and, in select areas, facets or surface hoar.

Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.