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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2023–Apr 5th, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Blue River, Clearwater, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Shuswap, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, North Okanagan, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Storm slabs may continue to be reactive to rider triggering.Dynamic spring weather could bring you intense sun or snowfall, either of which would increase the avalanche danger. Observe your local conditions and let that inform your terrain choices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new reports by 4 pm on Tuesday.

On Monday, natural solar-induced slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 and the recent storm snow continued to be reactive to rider triggering up to size 1.5. Reports indicate that the Selkirks seem to be the most reactive with rider remote-triggered slabs in the upper 50 cm of snow. These are failing on a surface hoar layer buried near the end of March or a crust on solar aspects. These avalanches were primarily on north and east aspects from 1700 m to 2200 m. This MIN Report from Sunday indicates what is mentioned above.

When the sun pokes out you may see natural wet or dry loose avalanches from solar aspects. Spring weather can change quickly so be willing and ready to adjust your trip to the conditions.

Snowpack Summary

At higher elevations, 15-40 cm of mostly soft storm snow is settling over a widespread, crust except for north-facing slopes at treeline and above, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces, and surface hoar in sheltered terrain. Reports indicate that the surface hoar layer (down 50 cm) was surprisingly reactive to human triggering in the Selkirks on Monday, especially on northeasterly slopes from 1700 m to 2100 m.

Isolated pockets of wind slab exist on leeward slopes and a thin surface crust may be seen on solar aspects to ridgetop.

The mid-snowpack is generally strong but the lower snowpack is a different story. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mix of clear and cloud. Possible trace of snow. Ridgetop wind 10-15 km/h freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -7°C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Light variable wind from the southwest. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Treeline high around -3°C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 30-40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 3-5 cm of snow is expected. Southwest ridgetop wind 40 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to between 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.