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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 19th, 2022–Apr 20th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast.

40-60 cm of recent snow and moderate southerly winds have formed large storm slabs that are likely to remain reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain.

 Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain as temperatures increase. 

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Clear / Light south wind / Low of -3 / Freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday: Sunny, with increasing cloudiness in afternoon. / Moderate southeast wind / High of 9 / Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light south wind / High of 8 / Freezing level 1400 m.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northwest wind / High of 9 / Freezing level 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

We currently have very limited avalanche observation data from this region.

Human triggered storm slab avalanches remain likely at upper elevations; especially in wind affected terrain.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Photos of current conditions and avalanches are the most helpful. 

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm of recent snow and moderate southerly winds have formed large storm slabs that are likely to remain reactive to human triggers at all elevations. Expect the storm slabs to be most reactive on lee features at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow. Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack, but they are unlikely to be a concern in most areas until the next significant warming event.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain as temperatures increase.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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.