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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2022–Apr 19th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast.

Large storm slabs are expected to be very reactive to human triggers at all elevations on Tuesday. 

Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Snow; 25-30 cm / Strong southwest wind / Low of 0 / Freezing level 800 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest wind / High of 6 / Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday: Sunny, with increasing cloudiness in afternoon. / Strong southeast wind / High of 10 / Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday: Cloudy with flurries; 5-10 cm / Light southwest wind / High of 6 / Freezing level 1300 m.

Avalanche Summary

Large natural and human triggered avalanche activity is expected on Tuesday. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. 

Snowpack Summary

Forecast 25-30 cm of new snow Monday night could bring storm totals to 45-55 cm by Tuesday morning. The new snow and strong southwest winds are expected to form large storm slabs that will be very reactive to human triggers at all elevations. Expect the storm slabs to be most reactive on lee features at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a variety of hard snow surfaces, including crusts and wind scoured snow. Below this, there are several crusts in the upper snowpack, but they are unlikely to be a concern in most areas until the next significant warming event.

Terrain and Travel

  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid traveling in runout zones. Avalanches have the potential to run to the valley floor.

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.