Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 22nd, 2019 4:39PM

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

Parks Canada 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

An icon showing 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

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing 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

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2019 4:00PM