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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2019–Apr 19th, 2019

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

South Coast Inland.

Conditions will change rapidly with elevation. Travel conservatively to avoid fresh wind slabs up high and loose wet avalanches if the clouds clear.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain or high-alpine snowfall, accumulation 20 to 30 mm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level between 2000 m and 2400 m.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall and afternoon clearing, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, moderate west wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1700 m.

SATURDAY: Clear skies, light north wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1900 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light west wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2200 m.

Avalanche Summary

There were no avalanche reports available on Wednesday. Avalanche activity should increase on Thursday into Friday as the storm pummels the Coast Mountains.

If you have any recent observations during your travels, we would greatly appreciate it if you posted a photo or any other information to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Thanks!

Snowpack Summary

Rain fell to around 2000 to 2500 m on Thursday. Above the rain-snow line, around 10 to 20 cm of snow likely fell with associated strong southwest wind. A freezing level decrease Friday night will drop another 5 to 10 cm of snow down to 1700 m by Friday morning. Below the rain-snow line, the snowpack is saturated and rapidly melting.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

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.