Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2022–Apr 2nd, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Columbia.

Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering at upper elevations, especially where they sit above a crust. 

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather is forecast for the weekend. This will bring mostly cloudy skies, new snow 5-15 cm, and moderate to strong southwest winds at ridgetop. Freezing levels will rise to 1500 m during the day and drop overnight. 

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few natural wind slabs up to size 2 were rep[otred from the alpine on northeasterly slopes. Skier triggered dry loose and small storm slabs were easily triggered within the new storm snow up to size 1.5. 

On Wednesday, the recent storm snow was easily reactive to skier triggering, especially where it sits above a crust. Reports showed numerous dry loose and wind/storm slab avalanches size 1-2.

On Tuesday in the north of the region, several size 1-2 natural wind slabs were observed in the alpine. Throughout the region, a widespread wet loose/wet slab and deep persistent slab avalanche cycle occurred at all elevations up to size 3. The most reactivity was noted on solar aspects.  

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow overlies up to 20 cm of denser snow above 2000 m and tapers rapidly at lower elevations. A melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects as high as 2000 m and to mountain top on solar aspects. Below the crust, the top 10-30 cm of the snowpack is moist. 50-60 cm of snow now sits over the mid-March interface at upper elevations. 

Westerly winds have formed reactive wind slabs on leeward terrain in the alpine and exposed treeline terrain.

The early-December rain crust is approximately a metre off the ground. Reports have recently indicated that large slab avalanches have failed on this interface earlier this week following a rain and warming event. This layer may be dormant now due to colder weather, however, may appear again during the next big warm-up or increased load from wind, snow, and/or rain. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • 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.