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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 13th, 2024–Apr 14th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Boundary, Howson, Kitimat, Nass, Northwest Coastal, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart.

Watch for signs of instability as you move through terrain.

A deeply buried weak layer from early April remains rider triggerable.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Many slab avalanches were observed on Thursday, the majority of these avalanches occurred in the north of the region. The avalanches were triggered naturally and by riders in alpine terrain on all aspects. The avalanches were 40 to 80 cm deep and occurred within the recent storm snow as well as on the weak layer from early April. Remotely triggered avalanches involving this layer have also been reported. 

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow and southwest wind formed wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. A crust exists on or near the surface on south and west facing slopes at treeline and above. Below treeline the snow surface is moist.

Around 50 to 100 cm of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust from early April. This snow is slow to bond to the crust where pockets of weak surface hoar or faceted grains rest on the crust, which is most likely on northerly aspects at treeline and alpine elevations.

There are no deeper concerns at this time.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with 2 to 4 cm of new snow in AM. 20 to 40 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of new snow.  10 to 20 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northeast alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of facets over a crust has produced large rider and remotely triggered avalanches over the past few days.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Assess for wind slabs in steep lee terrain features. Small wind slabs could step down to a weak layer over a hard crust buried around 50 to 100 cm deep, forming large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2