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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 19th, 2018–Apr 20th, 2018

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

Regions

South Coast.

Spring means extra caution on south-facing slopes. Avoid exposing yourself to hazard from large slopes or cornices overhead while its sunny or warm. And watch for pockets of wind slab in high alpine terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

TONIGHT: Increasing cloud. Ridge wind light, southwest. Temperature at treeline near +2. Freezing level 1500 m.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Ridge wind moderate, south. Temperature at treeline near +1. Freezing level 1500 m lowering to 1000 m. Rain changing to snow beginning in the evening and overnight. Precipitation 30-40 mm. SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, snow ending. Accumulation 5-10 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate, west. Temperature at treeline near -1. Freezing level 1200 m.SUNDAY: Sunny. Ridge wind light, northeast. Temperature at treeline near +3. Freezing level increasing to 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Earlier in the week, skiers could easily trigger small loose wet avalanches on Monday. Natural loose wet avalanches were also observed in treeline and alpine terrain, particularly on solar aspects. More details here.Over the weekend, large slab avalanches were also observed on the North Shore mountains that may have released during the storm last Friday. Read MIN report hereFurther north near Squamish reports indicated sun-induced natural activity on Sunday in alpine terrain.With information regarding avalanche activity and snowpack conditions becoming evermore sparse this time of year, we would very much appreciate it if you spend a moment to submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here, even if it is just a photo. And we wish to thank those of you who have shared your recent observations. Thanks!

Snowpack Summary

Above about 1200 m, 30 to 60 cm of moist snow sits on a predominant crust that formed at the beginning of April. Below this the snowpack is well-settled and strong. Read more here.At lower elevations (~1000 m) a spring snowpack exists.

Problems

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.

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.