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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2019–Apr 11th, 2019

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

Sea To Sky.

Wet flurries and warm temperatures can quickly warm the snowpack and increase the likelihood for loose wet avalanches. As you gain elevation and find dry snow, be wary of slabs around ridge crests and in lee terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries / southwest wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature -5 C / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Flurries, trace to 10 cm / south-southwest wind, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1500 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / southwest wind 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1600 mSATURDAY: Snow, 10-20 cm / south-southwest wind, 15-40 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1400 m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, natural storm slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on northerly aspects around 2200-2400 m in the Whistler Backcountry, initiating from steep, lee start zones. Four skier-triggered avalanches (size 1.5-2) in the Whistler Backcountry were reported on Monday, including this Decker Main MIN report here. These similar avalanches occurred in northerly alpine terrain and below a ridge feature.On Sunday, avalanche control work with explosives triggered mostly small storm slabs (size 1-1.5) and cornices in alpine and treeline; these avalanches failed on the storm snow - melt-freeze crust interface.On Saturday, small (size 1-1.5) storm slabs and wind slabs were reactive to skier traffic. Cornices were reactive to explosives and triggered large (size 2) slab avalanches as they fell on the slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm wind and temperature affected snow overlies a crust on most aspects and a dry, settled snowpack on north-facing alpine terrain. In the alpine and upper treeline, wind loaded pockets up to 40 cm deep have developed around ridge crests and northerly terrain. Expect a snowpack that changes with elevation and through the day, between 1800 and 1200 m sun and warm temperatures through the day are producing a moist snowpack. Below, 1200 m the snow is melting rapidly. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.