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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 26th, 2019–Apr 27th, 2019

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 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.

Regions

South Columbia.

Last Avalanche Forecast for the season. For additional information check out our Spring Conditions page at: https://goo.gl/cpx8Dq

New snow and moderate winds from a variety of directions may form touchy wind slabs reactive to human triggers.

Confidence

Low - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Strong, westerly winds / Alpine low -6 C / Freezing level 1400 m.

SATURDAY: Snow; 5-15 cm. / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -3 C / Freezing level 1400 m.

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northeasterly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1500 m.

MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwesterly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a naturally triggered size 2 wind slab stepped-down and triggered a much deeper weakness on glacier ice, resulting in a size 4 avalanche. It was on a north aspect at 2850 m. in the Battle Range.

On Wednesday, a group near Campion Peak, east of Revelstoke reported a large collapse of what they suspected was a weak layer near the base of the snowpack, and propagated for around 100 m. It was on west facing slope at 2500 m.

There are currently very few professional observers submitting daily observations. Please submit your observations to the MIN. Photos of avalanches or current conditions are particularly useful.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm. of recent snow has been re-distributed by strong winds from varying directions, creating fresh winds slabs on all aspects at treeline and above. These slabs sit on a crust everywhere except high north facing terrain, where they overlie dry snow. Older wind slabs created by last week's storm may still linger in lee terrain below ridgetops. A layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in the upper snowpack could still be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations such as high elevation, north facing terrain.

Below treeline, snow is disappearing rapidly.

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.