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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 25th, 2022–Apr 28th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Watch for heightened avalanche conditions as you climb to elevations where recent snow has accumulated.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, no significant precipitation, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures drop to -7 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with up to 5 cm of snow, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures reach -4 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, light wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -4 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, no precipitation, light wind, treeline temperatures reach -2 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, there were reports of a few large (size 2) wet loose avalanches at the Coquihalla, which has been the primary type of avalanche reported from the south of the region over the past week. There have been limited reports of avalanches in the north of the region, however, there was one notable human-triggered avalanche near Pemberton on Saturday. This large (size 2) slab avalanche occurred on a southeast slope at 2000 m (see photos in the MIN report).

Snowpack Summary

Winter conditions persist at upper elevations, as recent stormy weather has delivered 5 to 20 cm of new snow at elevations above 1200 m. In most areas this snow will sit above hard crust layers, while lower elevations will have moist and rain soaked surfaces. Dry snow has been reported above 2000 m on north aspects prior to this storm.

The lower snowpack should be strong under the current cool weather. In northern parts of the region, there may be a few deeply buried crust layers to monitor once the weather shifts to warmer spring-like conditions.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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.