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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2023–Apr 21st, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

10-25 cm of new snow and extreme southerly wind have formed fresh storm slabs that will likely be reactive to human triggers.

Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow and watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Wednesday. However, observations in this region are currently very limited.

Observations are very limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of new snow and extreme southerly wind on Thursday have formed fresh storm slabs that will likely be reactive to human triggers. The new snow overlies a rain crust that likely extends to mountain tops in many areas.

The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1000 m

Friday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 1 C / Freezing level 1200 m

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 5 C / Freezing level rapidly rising to 2200 m

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 1 C / Freezing level 1300 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.

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.