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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2022–Apr 13th, 2022

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Strong northeasterly winds have reverse loaded slopes below ridgetops. Recently formed wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.

Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Clear / Moderate east wind / Low of -19 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -6 / Freezing level valley bottom.

Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light east wind / High of -4 / Freezing level 800 m.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of -4/ Freezing level 1000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally triggered cornice failures and wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on steep slopes in the alpine on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

20-50 cm of recent snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.

Recent strong northeast winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.

The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 50-80 cm.

Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

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Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • 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.