Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2023–Apr 25th, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Spring conditions will extend to mountain tops as freezing levels skyrocket over the week. Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain in the heat of the day, particularly steep and sun-affected slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations are very limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

As temperatures increase, natural avalanche activity and human triggering becomes more likely. Particularly from steep and sun-affected terrain features.

A rider-triggered avalanche was reported on Friday around 50 cm deep on a convex roll. Check out the MIN post for more details.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures will weaken the surface snow to mountain top as freezing levels rise on Tuesday, breaking down surface crusts and moistening any previously dry snow at high elevations. Sun-affected terrain will see the most intense warming, likely creating wet and slushy snow.

Previous storm snow was heavily wind affected, with deeper deposits found on north-facing terrain features, sitting over a widespread crust that extends to most mountain peaks. This crust is expected to form an ideal sliding surface for avalanche activity.

The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded. As warming continues, particularly with extended periods of mild overnight temperatures, these layers may weaken, increasing the potential for deeper avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. Moderate westerly wind. Freezing level remain above 1300 m. No snowfall expected.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels rapidly rising above 2500 m over the day. Treeline temperatures around +8 °C. Moderate westerly winds.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels steady around 2700 m. Treeline temperatures around +10 °C. Strong westerly winds. Flurries possible, with trace accumulations likely in the east and up to 10 cm in the west.

Thursday

Full sun with freezing levels rocketing to 3500 m. Treeline temperatures above +10 °C. Light northwest winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

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.

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.