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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2024–Apr 25th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clearwater, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan.

Watch for pockets of wind slab in alpine lees and loose avalanches out of steep sunny slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A handful of skier-triggered wind slab avalanches up to 30 cm deep were reported in the alpine over the last few days. Most were small (size 1), with one solar-triggered size 2 observed in the central Selkirks.

Last week, cornice failures were notably not propagating any weak layers on slopes below but there was one report of an anomalous remotely skier-triggered size 2 failing on moist snow below a recently buried crust.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of new snow falls over widespread crusty surfaces on all but high north-facing alpine terrain, where snow is dry and likely wind affected. There are no deeper concerns at this time.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries bringing a trace. <20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2300m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.