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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 23rd, 2023–Apr 24th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast, Garibaldi, Powell River, North Shore, Sasquatch, Sasquatch, Sky Pilot, Tetrahedron.

❆ Winter just won't quit on the South Coast! ❆

Start on small slopes, and watch how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Unseasonable weather calls for cautious and adaptable terrain selection.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle may occur overnight, as the most rapid loading will be happening before midnight.

On Saturday, just north of Vancouver, small (up to size 1), rider triggered avalanches were reported.

Last week, storm snow was generally reactive to human traffic as seen in this Mountain Information Network post from the SkyPilot area, and this one from the Brohm ridge area. Both of these avalanches occurred on Thursday.

We expect that similar avalanches could be triggered by riders on Monday within the new storm snow.

Avoiding cornice exposure is also a good idea, as they are very large and looming at this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

Another wintery storm has likely dropped 5-15 cm of snow, even below treeline. Continuing moderate southwest wind could be forming deeper and touchier deposits in leeward terrain.

This new snow covers a surface that was thoroughly soaked by 25-40 mm of rain to mountaintops in most of the forecast area.

The exception is in the high alpine, where this new snow is falling on dry snow that was redistributed by moderate southwest wind.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong and well-bonded.

Cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

Weather Summary

If you are wondering why the freezing line and the snow line might be so different on some days, click here for more information:)

Sunday Night

Cloudy. Moderate to heavy rain/snow, 15-20 mm, with isolated areas on the immediate coast mountains around Vancouver of 25mm or more. Freezing level staying around 1200 m, but the snow line may drop as low as 700 m. Treeline low around -2°C. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind becoming light by the morning.

Monday

Low cloud. Trace of rain/snow expected. Freezing level around 1400 m. Treeline high around -2°C. Light west ridgetop wind.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. Light snow/rain. Freezing level rising from 1250 m to 1750 m. Light to moderate west or northwest ridgetop wind.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. Light snow/rain. Freezing level rising to 2800 m. Moderate to strong west or northwest ridgetop wind.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.