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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2023–Apr 18th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast, Powell River, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Tetrahedron.

A natural avalanche cycle is expected during the incoming storm. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Stormy conditions are increasing the likelihood of a natural avalanche cycle. Riders reported touchy storm slab and loose wet avalanches on Sunday, which may also occur during Tuesday's storm.

Snowpack Summary

Stormy conditions continue on Tuesday, bringing periods of strong snowfall that could trigger a natural avalanche cycle. The snow will build over 40 to 60 cm of snow that accumulated since Sunday. All of this snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust up to at least 1000 m and to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes and perhaps small surface hoar crystals on shaded slopes sheltered from the wind.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, 30 to 40 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 800 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 20 to 30 cm, 30 to 40 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snowfall then afternoon clearing, accumulation 20 to 30 cm, 30 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1100 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 10 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • 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.

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.