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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 11th, 2022–Apr 12th, 2022

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

Cariboos.

Strong northeasterly winds have reverse loaded slopes below ridgetops. Recently formed wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.

Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Monday night: Clear / Moderate east wind / Low of -20 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -7 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeast wind / High of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Thursday: Sunny / Light east wind / High of -4 / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Two size 2 wind slab avalanches were remotely triggered by a helicopter from 100 m away on steep, north aspects at treeline on Sunday. The slabs were 80-100 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

20-50 cm of recent snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.

Recent strong winds from a variety of directions formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 60-80 cm.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

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Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.