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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2022–Apr 18th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool and cloudy weather.

Continue to be mindful of your exposure to cornices when travelling on and below ridgelines.

Confidence

High - The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud cover. Treeline temperatures dropping to -6 C. 25-40 km/h winds from the south. 

MONDAY: High cloud in the morning with increasing cloud cover in the afternoon and light flurries. Treeline temperatures rising to -3 C. 25-40 km/h wind from the southeast.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with precipitation, 5-10 cm of new snow accumulation above 1300 m, rain below. Treeline temperatures rising to -3 C. 25-50 km/h wind from the northwest. 

WEDNESDAY: Partially cloudy. Treeline temperatures rising to -2 C. Light wind from the southeast. 

Avalanche Summary

Reports over the last week documented large cornice falls in alpine terrain, some of which have triggered large slab avalanches (size 2-2.5) on the slopes below. The most avalanche activity has been noted around Valemont and Blue River. 

Snowpack Summary

Recent wind from the northeast has left a variety of wind-affected surfaces. In sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40 to 70 cm deep. 

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.