Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2017–Apr 5th, 2017

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast.

Observations from the region have been extremely limited recently. If you are out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network and help us improve the bulletin. Click here for more details.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Mix of rain and snow, accumulation Tuesday night into Wednesday 40-50cm / Moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature 2 / Freezing level 1500 m THURSDAY: Periods of rain, accumulation 25mm / moderate to strong south wind / Alpine temperature 4 / Freezing level 1700mFRIDAY: Rain, accumulation 25mm / Light to moderate east wind / Alpine temperature 6 / Freezing level 2100m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently but observations have been very limited. On Wednesday, the main concern is storm and wind slab avalanches where the precipitation is falling as snow. At lower elevations expect small loose snow avalanches to be running in steep terrain on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowpack observations have been very limited and confidence is low. A weather system arriving Tuesday night is expected to bring mix of rain and snow. In the highest elevations within the region there may be as much as 50cm of snow accumulation. This more than likely sits on a widespread crust on all aspects and elevations except for north facing terrain in the alpine. At lower elevations, rain will saturate an already wet snowpack.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.