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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2024–Apr 23rd, 2024

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

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, Clemina, North Monashee, Renshaw, Robson.

Watch for wind loaded pockets in leeward alpine features and back off sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A couple of large cornice failures were observed last week in high alpine north-facing terrain. These loads notably did not propagate any weak layers on the slopes below.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow in the alpine is settling rapidly in mild temperatures, with surfaces becoming moist on sunny aspects and lower elevations. The recent snow sits over a widespread melt-freeze crust on all but high north-facing alpine terrain, where snow is dry and likely wind affected.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2300m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.