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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2023–Apr 23rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

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. Temperatures are rising and warm temperatures melt the strength out of the snow so avoid avalanche terrain if the sun pops out, during periods of heavy snow or rain, or if you observe (recent) avalanche activity.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Previous reports were of 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 amounts of snow fell at higher elevations and on north-facing slopes as low as treeline. 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 at treeline and low elevations, 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

Saturday Overnight

Cloudy with flurries. Just a trace to 5 cm of snow. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level around 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with snow. Accumulations by the end of the day around 10 - 15 cm but as high as 25 cm. Moderate southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around zero and freezing level around 2000 to 2200 m.

Monday

Warm overnight temperatures with freezing level remaining around 2000m. Overnight another 5 to 10 cm of snow by Monday morning. Wind diminishing to light. Treeline temperatures around -3 and freezing level around 2000 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Nil precipitation. Wind moderate to strong from the west. Around -5 C at treeline with freezing level around 1700 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.
  • Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.

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.