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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 11th, 2023–Apr 12th, 2023

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

Regions

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning, Skagit.

Be alert to changing conditions with elevation, sun exposure, and time of day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Last weekend, wet loose avalanches up to size 2 have been observed with rain and warm temperatures impacting the snow surface.

Looking forward to Wednesday, we suspect that rider-triggerable wind slabs may still be found at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow accompanied by southerly winds has likely formed wind slabs on west through east aspects at upper elevations. A crust may be found on or near the surface on all aspects at treeline and below.

A crust from late March can be found down 50 to 80 cm on all solar aspects and at treeline and below on north-facing terrain. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally well-settled.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -5 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level drops to 200 metres.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 1 °C. Ridge wind west 10-30 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind 15 to 45 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1500 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

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.