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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2023–Apr 2nd, 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

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

Recent snow may remain triggerable in wind-loaded terrain features, especially where it sits over a crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations. We suspect some natural avalanches to have occurred in alpine terrain during the peak of the storm on Friday night. We expect human-triggered wind slabs to remain possible over the weekend as the new snow gradually strengthens.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has been variable throughout the island. 10 to 30 cm of recent snow sits over moist or crusty surfaces in most areas except for shaded terrain above 1600 m. The new snow is expected to bond well to the old layers, but could potentially be poor where dry snow sits over a hard crust. The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Scattered flurries bringing up to 10 cm of snow to some areas. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine low -5 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow to some areas. Light northerly wind. Alpine high -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny. Moderate northwest wind. Alpine high -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. Light easterly wind. Alpine high 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.

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.