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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2019–Apr 11th, 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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Wet flurries and warm temperatures can quickly warm the snowpack and increase the likelihood for loose wet avalanches. As you gain elevation and find dry snow, be wary of wind slabs around ridge crests and steep rolls.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 7 cm snow / southwest wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine low temperature -6 C / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest wind, 10-30 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1600 mFRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / west-southwest wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature -1 C / freezing level 1900 m SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries, 5-10 cm / south-southwest wind, 15 gusting to 45 km/h / alpine high temperature -2 C / freezing level 1500 m

Avalanche Summary

A MIN report from Blowdown here documents a size 2 skier triggered wind slab avalanche on a northeast alpine aspect on Monday.A MIN report from the Whistler Backcountry here documents a similar skier triggered slab avalanche on Monday. The avalanche was triggered in lee-ward terrain below a ridge feature. While outside the forecast region, the avalanche highlights a similar terrain feature that may hold wind slabs in the South Coast Inland.A natural avalanche cycle to size 2 occurred overnight Saturday around the Duffey; slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on north-northeasterly aspects around ridge crest and in recently loaded lee features on Sunday morning. On Sunday, explosives triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches on north to west aspects about 2000 m. The likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase as temperatures rise, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar on north-facing alpine terrain. Wind slabs have formed around upper treeline and alpine ridge crests and lee terrain features. Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.

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 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.