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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2022–Apr 10th, 2022

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Recent strong southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Partly cloudy / Light northwest wind / Low of -11 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northeast wind / High of -4 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -4 / Freezing level 800 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 were reported on solar aspects on Friday. 

Additionally, an older looking naturally triggered size 2 wind slab was observed on a north aspect in the alpine.

See MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

3-10 cm of new snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 1900 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.

Recent strong westerly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 60-80 cm.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

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Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.