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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 15th, 2023–Apr 16th, 2023

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

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

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.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.