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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2019–Apr 14th, 2019

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Forecast snow and wind Saturday night is expected to create small wind slabs reactive to human triggers; especially in lee features below ridgetops.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-10 cm. / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / Alpine low -8 C / Freezing level 900 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 2-5 cm. / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1400 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 0 C / Freezing level 1600 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 2 C / Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small (size 1) skier triggered loose wet avalanches were reported in the Duffey Lake area on Friday. Small wind slabs are expected to be the primary concern on Sunday with the forecast snow and wind.

Snowpack Summary

Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 10-20 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions HERE.

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.