Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada RJ, Avalanche Canada

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Recent snow and strong wind have formed wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

The good skiing on high north aspects also happens to be where the Feb 3 PWL is most likely to be triggered.

Make a careful assessment for both problems before committing to a slope.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 Deep Persistent Slab was observed on the NW bowl of Andromeda, pulling a slab to ice above the bergschrund.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of recent snow has been redistributed by South to SW winds in the Alpine. Solar slopes and all aspects at tree line and below have a plethora of crusts in the upper snow pack. The Feb 3 PWL is down 40-100cm and remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m. The basal depth hoar/facets are gaining strength in deeper snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries (4 cm). Wind southwest: 15-35km/h. Freezing level 2100m.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35km/h. Freezing level 2100m.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Wind west: 15km/h gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level 2000m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs have formed on previous hard surfaces (sun crusts and old wind slabs) from recent moderate to strong winds. These will likely need some time to bond.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. This problem remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2024 4:00PM