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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2023–Apr 22nd, 2023

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

Regions

North Rockies, Blue River, McBride, Premier, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

It's a challenge to manage different avalanche concerns that vary by elevation and aspect. Observe local conditions and use that information to help select terrain and travel techniques.

Expect spring conditions at elevations up to around treeline,and solar aspects well into the alpine. Warm temperatures melt the strength out of the snow so avoid avalanche terrain in these areas when it's sunny, late in the day, or if there isn't an overnight freeze.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Previous reports (or new reports of previous avlanche activity) speak to solar triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 in the afternoon. Please remember there are few eyes still out there regularly reporting field observations.

Snowpack Summary

Continued light snow fall amounts at higher elevations and north-facing slopes towards treeline. All this recent snow is settling and bonding about as fast as more arrives. Windslabs are possible in immediate lee features.

On solar aspects at all elevations, and north aspects treeline and below, the recent snow either overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust or there is a crust at the surface. Watch for surface snow becoming moist in the afternoon.

The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. A weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack remains a concern, primarily in alpine terrain with shallow or variable (thick and thin) snowpack depths but also where there's overhead hazard (for example from cornices).

Weather Summary

Friday Overnight

Cloudy with clear periods. Flurries in places but only trace to 2 cm of precipitation. Light southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries. Just a trace to 5 cm of snow. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around zero to -5 C. Freezing level around 1900 m.

Sunday

Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 1500m. Cloudy with snow, accumulations up to 10 cm by end of day. Moderate southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around -3 and freezing level around 2000 to 2200 m.

Monday

Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 1500m. Cloudy with another 5 to 10 cm of snow. Moderate southwest winds. Treeline temperatures around -3 and freezing level around 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.