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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2021–Apr 10th, 2021

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Recently formed wind slabs may remain sensitive to triggering Saturday. The new snow will be prone to loose dry point releases if the sun comes out.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

The unsettled weather begins to clear up over the weekend as a ridge of high pressure sets up over the province.

Friday Night: 5-10 cm new snow. Strong southwest winds at ridgetop. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with convective flurries. Ridgetop wind light from the northwest. Alpine temperatures near -10 and freezing levels 1000 m. 

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light ridgetop wind from the northwest. Alpine temperatures -10. Freezing levels 1300 m. 

Monday: Sunny. Light ridgetop wind from the northwest. Alpine temperatures -5. Freezing levels 1800 m. 

Avalanche Summary

We have not received any reports of avalanche activity since Wednesday when the North Rockies Field team reported and wind slab size 1 from an East aspect at treeline. By Friday wind slabs were reported to be stubborn.. 

Snowpack Summary

15-35 cm of new snow over the past few days has formed stubborn wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features at wind exposed elevations. The new snow sits on a series of widespread melt-freeze crusts on all aspects below 1900 m and southerly aspects to mountain top. On North aspects in the alpine, the new snow sits on dry wintery and wind-affected snow surfaces. Snow appears to be bonding well at these interfaces.

The recent warm weather is expected to have helped old persistent weak layers heal, including a few crusts buried over the last month as well as a facet layer 150 cm deep from the mid-February cold snap.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
  • 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.

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.