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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2022–Apr 25th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Limited field observations have been made in the past week.

Make observations as you travel and be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow. Expect snow conditions to change quickly with elevation, aspect, and time of day.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with a mix of rain and snow, up to 5 cm of new snow accumulation at higher elevations. Freezing level lowering to 900 m. Light to moderate southerly winds.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level rising to 1300 m. Light to moderate southerly winds. 

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level rising to 1300 m. Light southerly winds.

WEDNESDAY: Partially cloudy. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Light southwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, numerous wet loose avalanches were observed from steep terrain at treeline and below (size 1-1.5). A few glide slabs released from rocky terrain below treeline (size 2).

In the north of the region on Saturday, a few natural wind slabs were reported in the alpine, failing in lee features directly below ridgelines (size 1-1.5). 

Looking forward to Monday, reactive wind slabs may still exist in lee terrain features in the alpine. Wet avalanche activity is likely at lower elevations and on steep solar aspects with a weak overnight refreeze and the potential for rain or strong solar radiation during the day. 

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall and southerly winds are expected to have created pockets of wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine. This 10-30 cm of new snow is expected to bond poorly to heavily wind-affected and facetted surfaces, the product of strong outflow wind and cold temperatures early last week. A crust can be found on steep solar aspects. Below 1200 m, rain and warm temperatures are expected to have broken down the surface crust and the snowpack may become isothermal. The mid and lower snowpack is well bonded with no concerning weak layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.