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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2017–Apr 14th, 2017

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

Observations from the region have been very limited recently. If you are out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network and help us improve the bulletin. Click here for more details.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light to moderate east wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1100mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light southwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1300mSUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1300m

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity in the south of the region. That being said there is little to no information being reported from the region recently. On Tuesday in the Ningunsaw area explosives controlled avalanches were reported to be running to size 2.5 below tree line and failing to ground at tree line. 

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow has fallen at higher elevations earlier in the week and has now been redistributed by moderate to strong east and southeast winds. At upper elevations the new snow is likely sitting on a hard wind crust created by strong winds last week. At the tree line elevation, warming and re freezing earlier in the week has likely has created a melt freeze crust. Below tree line the surface snow is likely a mix crusts at the upper end of the elevation band to moist or wet snow throughout the entire thickness of the snowpack at the lower portions of the elevation band.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.