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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2022–Apr 10th, 2022

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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Monitor surface snow and watch for changing conditions as you transition through aspect and elevations.

Wet avalanches are possible on south facing terrain features affected by strong sunshine & wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with light and variable winds. Freezing levels drop to 500 m.

SUNDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries possible bringing up to 3 cm. Freezing levels reach 1100 m. Light northeast winds. 

MONDAY: Mostly clear skies with light to moderate northeasterly winds. Freezing levels reach 1300 m. 

TUESDAY: Cloudy with moderate snowfall over the day, 10-20 cm. Freezing levels reach 1000 m. Moderate southeast winds. 

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a natural cornice fall triggered a size 2 wind slab on the slope below on a northwest facing slope in the alpine. 

On Thursday, wet avalanche activity occurred on all aspects from sun in the afternoon and overnight rainfall. The buried March crust has shown reactivity within the last 5 days, including remotely triggered avalanches to size 2. 

Snowpack Summary

At high elevations 10-30 cm of recent wind affected storm snow sits over moist snow, observed to around 2200m. Southwest winds have created deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. 

A widespread and supportive crust is buried 60-120 cm deep, below recent settling storm snow. This crust has been reactive to human and natural triggers within the last 5 days, but reports suggest is beginning to bond. Avalanches on this layer are harder to trigger but will be larger and more destructive. 

Lower elevations hold a widespread crust that may soften over the day on south facing slopes during periods of sun. The middle and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • 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.

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.