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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 11th, 2023–Apr 12th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
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
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions:

Storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggers, especially in wind-affected terrain and/or where the recently formed slabs are sitting on weak facets.

Choose conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We are still waiting on observations from the weekend's storm. We are expecting a natural storm slab cycle to have run during the peak of the storm and we wouldn't be surprised to see evidence of large, persistent avalanches as the weather clears.

In the White Pass area on Saturday, a rider triggered a cornice fall from a distance, which produced a size 3 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 1750 m. The avalanche was 200 cm deep and was suspected of having failed on a layer of facets above a crust buried in January.

Observations are 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.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of new snow has likely seen some redistribution by southerly winds, forming deep deposits in leeward terrain features. The new snow sits over previously wind-affected snow on north and east-facing slopes and a crust on windward south-facing slopes.

A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now buried well over 1 m deep. This layer has produced recent avalanche activity in the White Pass region and remains a concern in terrain where the snowpack is thin. The lower snowpack consists of basal facets, particularly in shallow areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Partly cloudy / 20 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -12 C

Wednesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 20 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -9 C

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -8 C

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud / 20 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -8 C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggers; especially in wind-affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A layer of facets sitting on a crust buried in January has recently been reactive in the White Pass area. Triggering is most likely in areas where the snowpack is thin and weak, or with a heavy load like a cornice fall or the weight of a smaller avalanche in motion triggering this deeper layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3