Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 10th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Minimize your expose to avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow, rain or wind. If you experience signs of instability back off onto mellower terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
On Sunday, west of Port Alberni, a small, human-triggered avalanche was reported. It started as a cornice failure, which pulled out a small slab on the slope below. See the MIN post here for more details.
The likelihood of triggering an avalanche is expected to increase with the incoming stormy weather.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).
Snowpack Summary
10 to 30 cm of new snow is expected to fall by the end of the day Thursday. Recent snowfall amounts above treeline have varied across the forecast area. You can expect the deepest new snow to be on the western parts of the island, and the shallowest to the east.
With fluctuating freezing levels, rain around treeline has likely made the snow shallower, denser, and wetter. At high elevations, recent soft snow covers a hard, frozen crust.
Below the crust, the rest of the snowpack is generally settled and well-bonded.
Below treeline, the snow is moist or wet, and slopes are largely below the threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 6 cm of snow possible. 35 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -2 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow / moderate to heavy rain below 1100 m. 50 to 65 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 4 °C. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs will be most reactive during periods of rapid loading from new snow/rain and strong wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 11th, 2024 4:00PM
