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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2022–Apr 4th, 2022

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

Regions

Cariboos.

The storm will bring new snow varying from 15 to 25 cm in the region. Fresh storm and wind slabs will build throughout the day with strong southwest wind. Choose conservative terrain if you see more than 15 cm new snow and the wind is moving snow.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Cloudy, 10 cm snow, strong southwest wind, alpine low -3 °C, freezing level around 1200 m.

Monday: Mainly cloudy, 10-15 cm snow, moderate to strong southerly wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level at 1500 m. 

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy, 5-10 cm snow, moderate westerly wind, alpine high -5 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday: Sunny, trace of new snow, light to moderate westerly wind, alpine high -4 °C, freezing level 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, many large dry loose avalanches (up to size 3) were observed in steep terrain. Skiers triggered several small dry loose avalanches. 

On Friday, two large (size 2) natural wind slabs were observed, as well as a failed cornice that triggered a slab on the slope below and resulted in a size 2.5 avalanche. Explosives triggered small wind slabs in the alpine and a size 2.5 storm slab.

On Thursday, several wind slabs and dry loose avalanches were reported up to size 2. They likely released on Wednesday. 

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface became moist up to 1800 m on all aspects and up to 2000 m on sun-exposed slopes in the last couple of days.

The new snow will add to the 20-50 cm of recent snow that sits on the late March melt-freeze crust and tapers rapidly at lower elevations. This crust is present up to 1900 m on all aspects.

The upper 60 cm of the snowpack consist of multiple crusts. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.