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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2019–Apr 22nd, 2019

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Flurries and wind will build thin, reactive deposits through the day and may hide recently formed wind slabs, use caution around cornices and lee terrain. Loose wet avalanches remain a concern, travel early and avoid moist/wet slopes.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1700 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-10 cm, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2000 m

TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1800 m

WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and clouds, light southwest wind, alpine temperature +2 C, freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

Snowballing and loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 were observed in the Duffey Lake area on Saturday.

There have been few observations in the South Coast Inland Region, however the neighboring Sea to Sky region observed a natural avalanche cycle into Saturday. Loose wet avalanches to size 2, wet slab avalanches to size 3, and large cornices failing naturally and triggering slab avalanches to size 3 on the slopes below were reported around the region.

If you have any recent observations during your travels, we would greatly appreciate it if you posted a photo or any other information to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). Thanks!

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and sun has produced a crust on all slopes except for high north alpine areas where a wind-pressed cold snow overlies a crust and up to 40 cm dry snow. Recent strong south winds have developed cornices and built wind slabs around treeline ridges and into the alpine. The snowpack below treeline is saturated and rapidly melting.

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.