Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2022–Apr 14th, 2022

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Sea To Sky.

Stay aware of changing conditions and make observations as you travel. 

Watch for pockets of wind slabs in steep exposed terrain from easterly winds, consider the possibility of cornice failures, and the potential for surface snow to lose cohesion when the sun is out.

Confidence

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood. We are confident about the possible sizes of avalanches, should one release; what is less certain is the likelihood of triggering.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with flurries delivering trace accumulations of snow overnight. Moderate east/southeast winds. Freezing levels drop to 500 m.

THURSDAY: Mostly clear skies with light easterly winds and scattered cloud. Freezing level rises to 1200 m. Snow begins late in the afternoon with up to 10 cm expected overnight.

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with moderate easterly winds. Isolated flurries bring trace accumulations. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m.

SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with moderate easterly winds. Isolated flurries bring trace accumulations. Freezing levels rise to 1000 m. 

Avalanche Summary

Now new avalanches were reported on Tuesday. Reports indicated rider triggered sluffing in wind sheltered terrain features. 

Avalanche activity on Sunday and Monday was limited to cornice failures, releasing naturally or by explosives. Stay well back of cornices when travelling on ridges, as they are very large at this time of year and could fail from your weight.

Snowpack Summary

At higher elevations recent of snowfall has been redistributed in wind slabs of up to 30 cm deep on south and east facing slopes by strong winds. These wind affected pockets sit over hard wind affected surfaces or a melt freeze crust. 

At lower elevations a widespread melt freeze crust likely sits on the surface. Strong sun may break down this crust over the day but cold temperatures will prevent significant melting. 

Various melt-freeze crusts exist in the upper to middle snowpack, which reports suggest are bonding well. The lower snowpack is considered strong and well settled. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

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.