Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 14th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Wind Slabs.
JSmith,
Avalanche Canada
Sustained warming continues to increase the likelihood for large cornice failures and wet loose avalanches. Start early and plan to be off large slopes before the heat of the day.
Check out the latest Forecaster's Blog for more information on managing current conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.
Weather Forecast
 Â
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear / Light, southeast ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature 5 / Freezing level 2800 m.
THURSDAY: Sunny / Light, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 10 / Freezing level 3000 m.
FRIDAY: Sunny / Light, south ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 10 / Freezing level 3000 m.
SATURDAY: Sunny / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 9 / Freezing level 3000 m.
Avalanche Summary
Warm sunny weather this week will cause wet loose avalanches and cornice falls.
On Tuesday, there were numerous wet loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes up to size 2 as well as some size 2 wind slab avalanches in the alpine triggered by cornice falls. See MIN report.Â
Snowpack Summary
Sunny skies and rising freezing levels will result in melting surfaces everywhere except north-facing alpine terrain. In the alpine 20-30 cm. of recent snow is quickly settling and strengthening, although wind slabs may linger on some steeper slopes. The mid/lower snowpack is strong and settled in most areas.Â
Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines, and are capable of triggering avalanches when they fail. Also, glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to minimize exposure to cornices and avoid slopes with glide cracks.
Terrain and Travel
- Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Problems
Loose Wet
Expect natural wet loose avalanches to occur on solar aspects when the sun comes out.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Strong solar radiation and warming will likely trigger the large cornices that hang over ridgelines. Cornice falls could trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs formed by 20-30 cm of recent snow and wind may still be reactive on lee features on all aspects in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 15th, 2021 4:00PM
