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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2023–Apr 16th, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Forecast snow and wind are expected to form large and reactive storm slabs.

Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow and avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Heavy snowfall and strong wind on Saturday are expected to form large storm slabs that are very reactive to human triggers.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast intense snow and wind are expected to form large and reactive storm slabs.

Below the new snow, a melt-freeze crust likely exists on all aspects below 1400 m.

The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Snow; 20-35 cm (rain below 800 m) / 60 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 0 C / Freezing level 1200 m

Sunday

Snow; 5-20 cm (rain below 800 m) / 30 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 0 C / Freezing level 1100 m

Monday

Snow; 10-20 cm / 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1000 m

Tuesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm / 50 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 900 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Problems

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.