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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2023–Apr 19th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Use caution entering lee terrain features, as wind slabs may linger. Small avalanches could step down to a buried layer and form large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received any recent reports of avalanche observations. The most recent avalanches occurred about a week ago on the facet layer described in the Snowpack Summary (e.g., this MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow fell over the past couple days with strong southerly wind, which may have formed wind slabs in lee terrain features. The snow may not bond well to underlying layers, including faceted snow in shaded aspects at high elevations or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects below 1700 m.

A layer of facets and a crust from early April is buried up to 60 cm at treeline and alpine elevations.

The base of the snowpack remains faceted and weak. We haven't received any notes of recent avalanche activity on this layer, but the concern remains for steep and rocky slopes with a thin snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Early morning sun then cloudy skies with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C, freezing level 1400 m.

Thursday

Cloudy skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -4 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • 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.