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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2023–Apr 5th, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Continue to make good terrain travel choices.

Later in the day Wednesday, increased winds will start to transport snow and may create fresh wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Recent avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1) loose dry avalanches out of steep northerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Southerly winds will begin to transport whatever remaining snow is out there on southern aspects and possibly build new wind slabs. Polar aspects at higher elevations and areas that are shaded may still hold up to 30 cm of low-density snow. Below 1600 m and on most solar aspects a crust can likely be found in many places. New snow bonding to this crust should be suspect and investigation is required.

The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, no accumulation, winds southerly 15 to 30 km/h, freezing levels reaching 600 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, up to 5 cm accumulation starting in the afternoon, winds south 40 to 50 km/h, freezing levels reaching 1100 m.

Thursday

Cloudy, 20 to 30 cm accumulation starting Wednesday evening, winds south 45 to 55 km/h, freezing levels to 1300 m.

Friday

Cloudy, up to 20 cm accumulation overnight and tapering off in the morning, winds southwest 25 to 25 km/h gusting to 75, freezing level 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.