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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2023–Apr 15th, 2023

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

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Forecast intense snow and wind are expected to form large and reactive storm slabs.

Large natural avalanches are expected on Saturday.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle is expected to occur throughout the day on Saturday with the incoming intense snow and wind.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

Forecast intense snow and wind are expected to form large and reactive storm slabs on Saturday.

Below the new snow, a melt-freeze crust likely exists on all aspects below 1400 m.

The middle and lower snowpack are strong and well-bonded.

At lower elevations, the snowpack was recently rain soaked.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Snow; 5-20 cm (rain below 800 m) / 60 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 0 C / Freezing level 1100 m

Saturday

Snow; 15-35 cm (rain below 900 m), then another 20-40 cm overnight / 50 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 2 C / Freezing level 1200 m

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries; 5-15 cm / 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1000 m

Monday

Snow; 10-20 cm / 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 1000 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.

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.