Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2015 8:21AM

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

Avalanche Canada pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Avoid exposing yourself to slopes that are getting affected by the springtime sun.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

Light snow fall is expected on Sunday with sunny breaks. Flurries are possible on Monday. On Tuesday, a ridge moves in, starting a few days of fine, sunny weather. The freezing level is around 1500 m by day, falling towards valley floor by night. Winds are generally light.

Avalanche Summary

Several cornice falls have been reported in the last few days, some of which have triggered slabs on slopes below.On Wednesday, a size 2 persistent slab was triggered in a permanently closed area at a ski area. It may have started in the March persistent weak layer before it stepped down to fail at ground. While the likelihood of triggering a large persistent slab avalanche has gone down, the consequences remain high.

Snowpack Summary

Recent 10-25 cm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above about 2000 m. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over a crust which is generally becoming more supportive. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now capped by a refrozen crust.Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to be slowly gaining strength. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Sun on new snow may spark a round of avalanche activity.
Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Recent winds have shifted snow into wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Cornices may be fragile.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2015 2:00PM

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