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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2024–Apr 7th, 2024

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

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Watch for changing conditions. Wind is forming recent snow into fresh, reactive slabs.

In areas seeing heavier snowfall, storm slabs will get deeper and more reactive through the day.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. Looking forward, we expect human triggered avalanches to be possible to likely, depending on the amount of new snow.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall amounts will likely vary across the forecast area. By the end of the day on Sunday, Expect 10-40 cm of new snow. This covers 40 cm of settling snow that sits on a widespread crust in all but sheltered, north-facing slopes where isolated pockets of surface hoar and/or faceted grains may exist below the recent snow.

Moderate to strong south or southwest winds will likely be forming deeper, more reactive deposits of snow in leeward terrain.

Previously problematic layers deeper in the snowpack appear to have bonded and strengthened, however, there is a small chance that they could remain a risk in steep, north-facing, high alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy. Generally 0 to 5 cm of snow expected to near valley bottom, up to 10 cm closer to the coast. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -7 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy. Generally 3 to 5 cm of snow expected to near valley bottom, 15 to 30 cm closer to the coast. Moderate to strong south ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 7 to 15 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.