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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2021–Apr 6th, 2021

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Wind slabs may still be encountered up high. Minimize exposure to cornices and steep, sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Monday night - Cloudy with clear periods / light to moderate west wind / alpine low temperature near -5 / freezing level 1000 m 

Tuesday - A mix of sun and cloud / moderate west wind / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1700 m 

Wednesday - Flurries, 5 cm / strong southwest wind / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1500 m 

Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light northwest wind / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1300 m

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle was observed in the region on Saturday during the storm. Looking forward, wind slabs could still be triggered by riders at high elevations. Warm temperatures and sun also have the potential to weaken the snowpack and increase avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Saturday's storm brought 15 to 25 cm around the Hurley and Duffey, 15 cm around the Coquihalla, and 5 cm around Manning, all above around 1600 m. The snow fell with strong southwest wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at high elevations. The new snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust everywhere except for north aspects above around 1600 m, where it fell onto previously dry snow. The snow surface has likely melted and frozen into a crust on sun-exposed aspects. 

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Their release is unpredictable, requiring a large berth if you're travelling above or below them.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.