Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Apr 15 – 16, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avoid wind loaded terrain. Large avalanches are possible in wind loaded features and there are concerns of remote triggering and cornice failures.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    New snow accompanied by southerly wind will add to cornices increasing the likelihood of them failing naturally.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Ongoing snowfall and southerly winds will form reactive storm slab. The largest and most sensitive will be found on wind loaded features on west through east aspects. A layer of facets and a crust down 60 could result in larger slab avalanches.

  • Loose Wet

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

    At lower elevations, where rain is possible, wet loose avalanches could occur on steep slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Earlier in the week several remotely triggered storm and wind slabs were reported. these avalanches typically occurred between 2000 and 2300 m and on a variety of aspects. A layer of facets and/or a crust down around 60 cm is likely responsible. Check out this MIN for an example of these avalanches.

No significant avalanches were reported on Thursday but observations are limited this time of year.

If you are venturing into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

New snow accompanied by southerly winds will overlie a crust at treeline and below. In the alpine this new snow will fall on a variety of surfaces including dry snow and wind slab on the north and crust and wind pressed surfaces on the south.

A layer of facets and a crust from early April can be found down up to 60 cm at treeline and above.

The base of the snowpack remains faceted and weak. Avalanche activity has not been observed on this layer recently but concern remains for shallow rocky snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Strong southerly winds and freezing level around 1500 m.

Sunday

Stormy with around 10 cm of new snow expected at higher elevations. Moderate to strong southerly winds and freezing levels rising to 1900 m with the snowline around 1600 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -2°C at 1800 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow possible. Light to moderate southerly winds and a High of -5°C at 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered