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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2022–Apr 9th, 2022

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

Regions

South Coast.

As freezing levels drop storm snow at higher elevations may remain reactive to human triggers. Watch for changing conditions as you gain elevation, and as you transition into wind affected terrain. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures remain cool over the weekend with little snowfall expected.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels drop to 500 m overnight. Isolated flurries possible. 

SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels around 800 m. Moderate west-northwest winds. Isolated flurries possible bring around 3 cm in the afternoon. 

SUNDAY: Clearing skies with scattered flurries possible in the afternoon. Freezing levels remain below 1000 m. Light westerly winds. 

MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light northeast winds. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. 

Avalanche Summary

Small wet avalanche activity was reported on steep south facing slopes yesterday, as the sun weakened the surface snow. Wet avalanche activity is also expected to have occurred on all aspects as rain began overnight. Avalanche activity is expected to decrease from the drop in freezing levels. 

Observations are very limited this time of year. If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of new snow can be found at high elevations, sitting over a melt freeze crust or moist snow. Strong southwest winds have likely redistributed this storm snow into pockets of wind loading on north and east facing slopes. 

A widespread and supportive melt freeze crust is buried 60-110 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. This crust has produced large avalanches within the last 5 days, however recent reports suggest that this crust is bonding well to the snow above it. 

 

Lower elevations will likely hold wet surface snow that will form a crust as temperatures cool overnight. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.