Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 22nd, 2019 4:39PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.
jesse milner,
Parks Canada
Forecast freezing levels and snowfall amounts are uncertain for the next 48 hours.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tuesday up to 15cm of snow (rain below treeline) with moderate-strong SW wind and freezing levels to rising to 2200M. Wednesday, Cloudy with an additional 5-10cm throughout the day along with moderate west winds. 2200M freezing levels. Thursday, clear skies cooler temps -10 with light winds from the west and freezing levels in the valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of recent settled snow now overlies several crusts / facet layers in the upper 40cm, and a faceted layer down 70cm on shady aspects. Expect isothermal snow at lower elevations (below treeline).
Avalanche Summary
Recent whumfing in low angle alpine terrain.
Natural and controlled avalanche cycle last friday produced persistent slabs, wind slabs and loose dry avalanches to mainly size 2 max size 3 in the alpine.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Rising winds monday redistributed recent storm snow to lee features combined with new snow, wind and warm temperatures on Tuesday
- Watch for whumphing, hollow sounds and shooting cracks.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
New load with warm temps could increase the likelihood of triggering.
- Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
- Note recent avalanche activity.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Some forecasts are calling for up to 12mm of rain up to treeline (freezing levels uncertain) in the Columbia Ice fields area on Tuesday
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2019 4:00PM
