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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 11th, 2019–Apr 12th, 2019

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

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Recently formed storm slabs have been especially reactive to human triggers on northerly aspects below alpine ridgetops.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Light, northeasterly winds / Alpine low -3 C / Freezing level 1100 m.FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 1 C / Freezing level 1600 m.SATURDAY: Snow; 10-20 cm. / Moderate, southwesterly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1200 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -3 C / Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, there were numerous small (size 1) skier triggered storm slabs reported on primarily northerly aspects below ridgetops near Whistler.On Monday, four skier-triggered storm slab avalanches (size 1.5-2) in the Whistler backcountry were reported on north facing aspects below alpine ridgetops, including this Decker Main MIN report here.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.The snowpack structure changes with elevation and aspect. 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

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.