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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2024–Apr 13th, 2024

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Expect various warming-related avalanche concerns to develop during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received reports of recent avalanche activity. Looking forward, human-triggering of wind slabs remains possible in steep lee terrain features at higher elevations. Wet loose avalanches are also likely, particularly on steep sun-exposed slopes when the sun is strong.

Please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network if you are getting out in the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow accumulated above 1100 m on Thursday with strong southerly wind. The storm may have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features in the alpine. Warm air this weekend will quickly wet the snow surface, predominantly on sun-exposed slopes midday.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

There is insufficient snow to form avalanches for most below treeline elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Saturday

Clear skies. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Sunday

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h west wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Problems

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.

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.