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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 23rd, 2023–Apr 24th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Use good travel habits, and evaluate each slope on a case by case basis.

Look for signs of wind slab or wet loose instability before committing to large or steep terrain features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday and Sunday in the Whistler area, daytime warming caused numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches in steep terrain. These avalanches were mostly small (size 1).

On Friday in the Whistler area, explosives avalanche control produced small (size 1 to 1.5) dry loose and storm slab avalanches. Through the day, solar warming caused numerous, small (size 1) wet loose avalanches.

Avoiding cornice exposure is also a good idea, as they are very large and looming at this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of dry snow covers moist snow in the alpine, and wet surfaces at treeline and below.

Underneath the recent snow, a mixed bag of old surfaces exists: crusts on solar aspects, wind effected snow in the high alpine, and moist or wet snow in most other places.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded, except for below treeline, where it is becoming isothermal in many places.

Cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

Weather Summary

If you are wondering why the freezing line and the snow line might be so different on some days, click here for more information:)

Sunday Night

Cloudy. 3 to 7 cm of snow expected. Snow/rain line between 700 m and 1000 m. Treeline low around -3°C. Moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind, becoming light by the morning.

Monday

Cloudy. Trace of snow/rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1600 m. Treeline high around -1°C. Light west or southwest ridgetop wind.

Tuesday

Low cloud, possibly sunny in the high alpine. No new snow/rain expected. Freezing level rising to 1800 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate northwest at high elevations.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. Light rain expected. Freezing level rising to 2500 m. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong west at high elevations.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • 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.