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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2018–Apr 21st, 2018

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

25-30 cm of new snow has formed touchy storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow; accumulation 5-10 cm. Strong south wind. Freezing level 800 m. SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries; accumulation 3-5 cm. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature -2. Freezing level 1000 m. SUNDAY: Cloudy. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature 0. Freezing level 1300 m. MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +3. Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Thursday. However, I would expect the 20-30 cm of new snow to have formed fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain at treeline and above. Avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, please post your observations on the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of new snow and moderate winds have formed touchy storm slabs.In the south of the region, two layers of surface hoar are buried early-March and mid-March are approximately 70-100 cm deep and most prominent on north to east aspects. Further north, these layers are around 40 cm deep.Below these March layers the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. However in the far north of the region there are weak sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.