Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 7th, 2015–Apr 8th, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Sunshine are warmth are the primary drivers of avalanche hazard. Avoid large sun drenched slopes if the snow is getting moist or wet.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Mainly sunny. The freezing level peaks near 1500-1700 m. Ridge winds are light to moderate from the S-SW. Thursday: Increasing cloud with light snow developing late. The freezing level is around 1500 m. Winds increase to strong or extreme from the S-SW. Friday: Light snow. The freezing level is near 1200 m and winds are strong from the south.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose wet sluffs on solar aspects have been reported in the afternoon. Cornices are getting large and ripe and could pop off with daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of old crusty surfaces. You may still find dry powder on higher north aspects, but any sun exposed slope will likely be in a melt-freeze cycle. In addition, recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but appears to be unreactive at this time.At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may still be lurking in exposed lee terrain and cross-loaded features.

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, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 4

Loose Wet

Sunny skies and daytime warming could lead to loose wet surface sluffs and/or isolated cornice falls.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2