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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2021–Apr 19th, 2021

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 possible, human triggered probable.
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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

South Coast.

Start (and finish) your day early to avoid exposure to sun-exposed avalanche terrain. Steer clear of cornices overhead and plan your egress route carefully.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Sunday night - Clear / light to moderate northerly wind / alpine low temperature near +5 / freezing level dropping to 2500 m

Monday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near +3 / freezing level 2500 m

Tuesday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near +3 / freezing level 2500 m

Wednesday - Sunny / light wind / alpine high temperature near +5 / freezing level 2700 m

Avalanche Summary

There have been a few reports of wet loose avalanches and cornice failures in recent days.

In neighboring Sea to Sky region, multiple wet slab avalanches were observed over the weekend near Whistler, size 2-4. Many of these involved the full depth of the snowpack, running to valley bottom. We suspect similar activity to have occurred in the South Coast region as well.

Snowpack Summary

High overnight freezing levels mean that the snow surface remains moist or wet. In places where the surface forms a crust overnight, it should quickly soften during they day with sunshine and warm temperatures. The highest elevation north aspects may still hold soft snow or wind slabs.

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Sun and warm temperatures will increase the chances of cornice failures, especially when temperatures remain above zero overnight.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avalanche hazard is expected to to increase througout the day, think carefully about your egress.
  • Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Avoid lingering or regrouping in runout zones.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.