Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
It may still be possible for humans to trigger avalanches in the alpine.
Practice good travel habits, and consider the consequences of any fall in steep or exposed terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, west of Port Alberni, a small, human triggered avalanche was reported. It started as a cornice failure, which pulled out a small slab on the slope below. See the MIN post here for more details.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfall amounts above treeline have varied across the forecast area, expect the deepest soft snow to be on the west island, and the shallowest on the east, with the north and south being somewhere in between. With fluctuating freezing levels, rain around treeline has likely made the snow shallower, denser, and wetter. At high elevations, any recent soft snow covers a hard, frozen crust.
Below the crust, the rest of the snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.
Below treeline, the snow is moist or wet and slopes are largely below the threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. No new snow/rain expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C. Freezing level around 1000 m.
Wednesday
Increasing cloud through the day. Light rain, 0 to 2 cm of snow expected above 1200 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 1 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. Light rain, generally 5 to 10 cm of snow expected above 1000 m, with 15 to 20 cm possible on the west island. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind, becoming light through the day. Treeline high around 0 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. No new snow/rain expected. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
- Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Problems
Storm Slabs
The recent snow will be most unstable where you find the deepest deposits, or where it is dense and moist, and not sticking well to the old, hard surface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2024 4:00PM
