Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

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South Coast Inland.

Cold, winter snow may still be found in north facing terrain in the high alpine. Dust on crust everywhere else. Assess big alpine lines for windslab hazard before choosing to ride them.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood. Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind trending to strong at high elevations. Freezing level falling to between 750 and 1200 m.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with possible mid-day sunny breaks. Light snow/rain expected, up to 7 cm for the Coquihalla. Light southwest ridgetop wind trending to moderate west at high elevations. Freezing level rising to around 1500 m through the day. 

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate snow/rain expected overnight and through the day. Up to 10 cm in the Duffy Lake area. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to extreme at high elevations. Freezing level around 1500 m. 

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. 10-20 cm of snow expected overnight and through the day. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to extreme at high elevations. Freezing level falling to around 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new and notable avalanches were reported on Friday before 4 pm. 

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Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of new snow covers a strong, supportive crust on all aspects into the alpine, and settled, soft snow above 2200 m in shaded alpine terrain. With strong southwest wind at high elevations, reactive windslabs may form on isolated, alpine features.

The rest of the upper snowpack consists of a number of crust/facet/surface hoar interfaces buried in March that seem to have bonded during the recent warm weather. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong southwest wind has likely formed recent snow into small, reactive windslabs over firm surfaces in lee features. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks and recent avalanches.

  • Windslabs can be most reactive when they are fresh, so tune in to loading patterns when you see blowing snow. 
  • Use small test slopes to see how windslabs are bonding to the old surface.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2022 4:00PM

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