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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2023–Apr 7th, 2023

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus.

A storm is rolling through the region, bringing cold and snowy conditions.

Keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The likelihood of avalanches will increase with the arrival of the storm. We are expecting natural activity at upper elevations during the night, Thursday. Rider-triggers avalanches will remain likely immediately after the storm.

If you head out in the backcountry, consider sharing your observations with us on the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

Before the storm, surfaces were variable according to aspects and elevations. On northerly aspects above 1000 m, surface hoar has grown in sheltered areas and low-density snow can still be found. On southerly aspects and below 1000 m, a moist or crusty surface has likely formed. Last week's storm left 15-30 cm of snow, with wind loading mostly isolated to immediate lees of ridgetop. This snow appears to be bonding well to underlying surfaces, including melt-freeze crusts and hard widn affected surfaces.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and bonded. At the bottom of the snowpack, a layer of weak facets remains present and continues to be monitored for signs of reactivity.

Weather Summary

Wet, warm & windy conditions are expected to ease on Friday. Another system will bring ongoing heavy precipitations for the weekend.

Thursday night

Snow. Local amount 20-30 cm. Moderate southwest wind gusting 60 km/h. Alpine low -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1500 m.

Friday

Flurries ending in the morning. Cloudy. Moderate southwest wind gusting 40 km/h. Alpine high -4 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Saturday

Snow. Local amount 15-20 cm. Moderate southerly wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine low -2 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Sunday

Snow. Local amount 30-40 cm. Moderate southerly wind gusting 50 km/h. Alpine low -2 °C. Freezing level around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.