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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2024–Apr 22nd, 2024

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

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clearwater, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Shuswap, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, North Okanagan.

Watch for wind loaded pockets in leeward features at upper elevations.

Expect loose avalanches when the sun hits fresh snow in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small handful of avalanches were reported in the alpine late last week, including:

  • a remotely skier-triggered size 2 failing on moist snow below the crust, in which another skier was caught but did not sustain any injury

  • a skier-controlled size 1 wind slab below an convex roll

  • a natural size 2 storm slab on a steep, west-facing moraine feature

  • a cornice failure did not propagate any weak layers on the slope below

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow sits over a widespread melt-freeze crust on all but high north-facing alpine terrain, where snow is dry and wind affected.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Up to 5 cm of new snow at upper elevations. 30 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. <20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2300m.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level 2400m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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 Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.