Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2015 8:00AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.

Lydia Marmont, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Today, Friday April 24th, is the last day that the Winter Permit System will be in effect for the 2014/2015 winter season.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A cool unsettled airmass will produce a cloudy day with flurries and possible thunderstorms in the afternoon, light winds and freezing levels staying below 1900m. The weather will begin to stabilize Saturday as a ridge of high pressure leads to drier conditions. Freezing levels should stay below 2000m until early next week.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of snow at Tree line and above has buried the most recent crust on solar aspects. The snowpack on solar aspects is moist and composed of multiple crusts, while on sheltered north aspects dry snow can still be found above ~2100m. A 30-60cm slab over a crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on North aspects remains a concern.

Avalanche Summary

A good crust recover yesterday night and cooler temps during the day resulted in no observed activity yesterday.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Watch for the crust breaking down on solar aspects and low elevations if the sun comes out this afternoon.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Crusts on solar aspects, and surface hoar on shaded slopes, buried down 30-60cm are still a concern. Daytime warming, loose avalanches and skiers can trigger this layer. Cooler temps have slowed natural activity in the past few days.

Test slopes before committing to them.Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2015 8:00AM