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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2024–Apr 6th, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clearwater, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan, Whatshan.

The windslab hazard exists. Adjust your terrain choices and travel plans when you encounter wind-loaded pockets around ridgecrests and in extreme terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a large (size 2) natural avalanche occurred in the alpine on a north aspect. This avalanche crown was 100 cm in depth and is likely the early February persistent slab problem.

Previous days avalanche activity has been limited to wet loose activity (size 1-1.5) at lower elevations and on solar aspects.

Looking forward to the weekend, the main concern will be the potential for small (size 1) wind slabs in alpine and treeline terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A crust has formed on the surface, possibly as high as 2500 m. 10-20 cm of new snow may be on the surface at high elevations.

In general, 20 to 40 cm of settling snow sits on surface hoar crystals that were buried in late March. Under that is a melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations other than north-facing alpine.

Weak faceted grains above a hard crust formed in early February are now buried 100 to 150 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger, and in most places it is shielded by crusts above, but it is still occasionally producing large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with light flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the northeast. Treeline temperature drops to -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with clear periods and flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation. Ridge wind 10 to 30 km/h from the east. Treeline temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1700 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1900 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind 15 to 30 km/h from the southwest. Treeline temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • 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.