Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Apr 12 – 13, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Take care around ridgelines where wind slabs may linger.

Minimize your exposure to sun affected slopes. Sunshine and rising temperatures will increase the potential for wet avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Recent snowfall and southwest winds have formed wind slabs in north and east facing terrain features in the alpine and treeline.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Expect wet slab and wet loose avalanches on steep, sun affected slopes as temperatures rise. Avalanches are expected to initiate easily on the crust below.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was reported on Thursday. Earlier in the weak cornice falls triggered slabs on the slopes below, on north facing alpine slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of settling storm snow sits over old snow surfaces, and a crust on sun affected slopes. On north facing slopes near ridgelines, deeper deposits of snow can be found - while south facing slopes may hold hard, wind pressed surfaces or a crust.

Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies. 10-20 km/h westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level drops to 1000 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature reaches a high of +5 °C. Freezing level rises to 2500 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 20-40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level drops over the day to 2100 m.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level drops to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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