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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2024–Apr 7th, 2024

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

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Powell River, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Recent wind has varied in direction and may have formed wind slabs below alpine ridgetops.

Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on sunny aspects on Friday. A rider triggered size 1 wind slab was also reported on a steep west aspect in the alpine.

If you go into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Recent north wind has reverse-loaded some slopes. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects in specific locations below alpine ridgetops.

Strong solar radiation has formed a surface crust on sunny aspects. 20 to 30 cm of recent snow (above 1600 m) overlies a crust everywhere except north facing alpine slopes where the recent snow sits on older dry snow.

The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is down 150-250 cm. It is currently considered to be dormant in most locations.

Many areas below treeline are either snow free or have very thin snow coverage. Expect difficult travel at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 3 to 10 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4° C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries, 3 to 10 cm snow. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Tuesday

Snow, 15 to 20 cm. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.