Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2015 3:00PM

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

Peter, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

There is little or no new information about snow and avalanche conditions in the region. Check out this blog post for more information on a cool and snowy spring scenario.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Increasing cloud. The freezing level bumps up to 2200 m. Winds are moderate gusting strong from the S-SW. Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries – 3-6 cm. The freezing level lowers to 1600 m and winds remain strong from the W-SW. Wednesday: Flurries ending early then a mix of sun and cloud. The freezing level rises to 2000 m and winds are moderate from the west.

Avalanche Summary

A couple size 1-1.5 loose snow slides were reported from neighbouring regions on Saturday. Observations are becoming more limited as we enter into spring. If you're out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to our webpage using the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust on higher shady slopes, while melt-freeze conditions are more likely on sun-exposed and lower elevation slopes. Moderate and gusty winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow may get blown into fresh wind slabs on the immediate lee of ridge lines and other terrain breaks. Where unaffected by wind, loose snow sitting on a crust could sluff easily in steep terrain.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Large cornices at ridgetop may fail under the weight of a person. Cornices may grow further with anticipated new snow and wind, and will remain unstable, particularly during periods of warming.

Give cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges. Remember that cornices become weak with daytime heating.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2015 2:00PM