Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2014 9:55AM

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

slemieux, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

This bulletin has been produced using very limited field data. If you've been out in the mountains we'd love to hear about what you've seen. Observations can be sent to forecaster@avalanche.ca

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Tonight and Wednesday: A frontal system is forecasted to approach the coast spreading a trace to light amounts of precipitation (~5 mm in water equivalent) into Wednesday. Freezing levels around 1300 m with light South East winds. Thursday: Light to moderate precipitation is expected (~15 mm) with freezing levels around 1300 m and light winds from the South West. Friday: A break in precipitation and a mix of sun and cloud. Freezing levels around 1800 m and light South winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported.

Snowpack Summary

Light precipitation amounts may fall on the South Eastern corner of the region on a snow surface that consists of a melt-freeze crust in most areas, hard windslabs lee of recent strong South West winds or dry powdery snow in wind sheltered areas in the alpine and treeline. Snowpack test results from last Saturday indicated touchy conditions in the alpine where the windslabs had formed. Cornices are also large and potentially weak.The early February crust/facet layer is down 150 - 200 cm. This destructive layer should become less likely to trigger with forecast cooling.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Field reports from the weekend indicated that hard wind slabs found in the lee of upper elevation terrain breaks continued to be reactive and could propagate over wide distances. Cornices are also large and potentially weak.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Possible triggers for this deep layer include cornice fall, warming and intense solar radiation.

Conditions have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried facets and surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2014 2:00PM