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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2017–Apr 4th, 2017

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

Regions

South Coast Inland.

Recently formed wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to triggering on Tuesday. Use extra caution on high elevation north aspects.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Mostly cloudy conditions are expected on Tuesday with the possibility of sunny breaks. Alpine wind is expected to be light to moderate from the southwest and freezing levels are expected to reach around 1700 m on Tuesday afternoon. 2-4 cm of new snow is forecast for Tuesday night and another 5-15 cm is currently forecast for Wednesday. Alpine wind is expected to be moderate to strong from the southwest and freezing levels are forecast to reach around 1800 m on Wednesday. A mix of sun and cloud with lingering flurries is forecast for Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a natural size 2.5 wind slab was reported to have released from steep unskiable terrain in the north of the region. Ski cutting triggered two size 1 avalanches in the alpine on morainal features. A natural cornice release was reported which did not trigger a slab. A social media report describes two skier triggered wind slab avalanches in the Heart Strings area. Click here for details and photos. There have been no new avalanche reports from the Coquihalla area or south of the region in the past several days.On Tuesday, recently formed wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggering. These slabs are expected to be particularly touchy where they overlie a melt-freeze crust.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread melt-freeze conditions are expected on all aspects and elevations except for high elevation north facing terrain. Recent strong winds from the south have formed wind slabs in the alpine and have added load to cornices. On sun exposed slopes and at lower elevations, several crusts likely exist in the upper snowpack which are generally well bonded.

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.