Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Cornices.
cgarritty,
Avalanche Canada
Ease into terrain cautiously with an assessment mindset on Saturday and expect the reactivity of new snow to increase with elevation and wind effect. Be especially cautious around steep slopes being hit by the sun. This is where natural avalanches will be most likely.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Friday night: Cloudy with continuing snowfall bringing new snow totals to 20-30 cm by morning. Strong west winds shifting northwest as snowfall eases.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northwest winds easing over the day. Alpine high temperatures around -5 with freezing levels to 1000 metres.
Sunday: Sunny. Light variable winds. Alpine high temperature near -2 with freezing levels to 1300 metres, continuing to rise overnight.
Monday: Sunny. Light to moderate northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures around +1 with freezing levels to 1700 metres.
Avalanche Summary
Fresh storm slabs will be in place over much of the region's higher elevations on Saturday. The new snow will very likely be reactive to human triggers, especially where wind loading has occurred. Where it sees solar exposure it will likely also shed naturally from steep slopes in loose sluffs and potentially as more destructive storm slabs.
We haven't received many observations for the South Coast region in the past few days. If you get out, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network to help us know what conditions are like.
Snowpack Summary
About 25 cm of new snow is expected to accumulate by Saturday morning, bringing this week's storm snow total to about 30-40 cm. Strong southwest winds are expected to accompany the new snow, likely forming fresh and reactive slabs in many areas.
The recent storm snow sits on a crust on sun-exposed aspects, and on all aspects below about 1400 m. It likely fell on either wind slabs or soft snow on north aspects above 1400 m.
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
- 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.
- Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Storm Slabs
A widespread storm slab problem will continue to take shape over Friday night, meaning touchy avalanche conditions for Saturday. The new snow will be especially sensitive to human triggers at higher elevations where wind loading has occurred and will likely shed naturally from steep, sun exposed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines and will have formed fragile new growth with the recent snow and wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2021 4:00PM
