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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2024–Apr 15th, 2024

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

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

Watch for reactivity in the remaining pockets of dry snow in the alpine. Elsewhere a surface crust will limit avalanche activity.

Give cornices space - on ridgelines and on the slopes below.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Strong sunshine and rising temperatures produced loose wet avalanches to size 2 over the past few days. Reactivity within the recent wind-affected storm snow also continues, with natural cornice falls triggering slabs on the slopes below to size 2.5.

While cooler temperatures on Monday will limit the potential for wet avalanche activity, reactivity may linger in high elevation, north facing terrain features where dry snow remains.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust likely exists at all elevations, except on high north-facing slopes which is expected to limit avalanche activity. Small pockets of wind-affected dry snow still exist on north-facing alpine slopes, up to 40 cm deep.

Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. 30-50 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops back to 1500 m by morning.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with 30-50 km/h westerly winds. Freezing levels around 1200 m. Treeline temperatures of -3 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies with 10-20 km/h northerly winds. Isolated flurries possible. Freezing level around 1300 m. Treeline temperatures of -3 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies with 10-20 km/h northerly winds. Freezing level around 1500 m. Treeline temperatures of -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

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.