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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2023–Apr 6th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

West Island.

Avoid avalanche terrain.

Heavy snow, wind and rain are expected to produce widespread natural activity.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Widespread natural avalanche activity is expected throughout Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Heavy snow is expected above 1000 m and wet snow or rain below. This precipitation falls on up to 40 cm of low-density snow at high elevations in shaded terrain. At low elevations and on most solar aspects new snow/rain will fall on a crust.

The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, up to 25 cm of snow overnight with strong southerly winds. Freezing levels remain around 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy, with up to 50 cm possible around Sutton Pass. Snowfall rates will not taper as rapidly as previous storms, the central island may see up to 30 cm. Strong to extreme southerly winds. Freezing levels reach 1500 m.

Heavy precipitation continues overnight, up to 60 cm on the coast.

Friday

Cloudy with light snowfall continuing, moderate southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1000 m.

Saturday

Heavy snowfall resumes with cloudy skies and strong to extreme southerly winds. Freezing levels around 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.

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.