Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 5th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
kdevine,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may still be encountered up high. Minimize exposure to cornices and steep, sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Monday night - Cloudy with clear periods / light to moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -5 / freezing level 1000 m
Tuesday - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1700 m
Wednesday - Flurries, 5 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1500 m
Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1300 m
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle was observed in the region on Saturday during the storm. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders at high elevations. Warm temperatures and sun also have the potential to weaken the snowpack and increase avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Saturday's storm brought 15 to 25 cm around the Hurley and Duffey, 15 cm around the Coquihalla, and 5 cm around Manning, all above around 1600 m. The snow fell with strong southwest wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at high elevations. The new snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except for north aspects above around 1600 m, where it fell onto previously dry snow. The snow surface has likely melted and frozen into a crust on sun-exposed aspects.
Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs could still be triggered by riders in steep, lee terrain features at high elevations. Carefully evaluate for wind slabs prior to committing to consequential avalanche terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines, and have likely grown with the recent snow and wind. They become increasingly weak when the sun comes out and freezing levels rise. They require a large berth when travelling above and below them.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 6th, 2021 4:00PM
