Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 16th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada AB, Avalanche Canada

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Incoming snow and wind will create fresh wind slabs. Monitor closely how the snowpack adjusts to the change on Monday.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has settled to 20-30 cm above 2300 m. The storm snow sits over buried sun crusts that are present to ridge crests, and faceted layers on shady aspects. Multiple buried crusts are present in the top 50-70 cm on solar aspects. The basal depth hoar is present but is only a concern in thin areas. Low elevations have a temperature crust on all aspects.

Weather Summary

Snow will start Sunday evening and up to 10cm could arrive by Monday. Temperatures will decrease Monday with the valley remaining around zero degrees and -10 in the alpine. Wind will pick up into the strong range in the early hours of Monday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The November basal facets and depth hoar have been mainly dormant in this region and we have seen few avalanches on this layer. The recent storm was a good test. Thin spots or places exposed to large loads like cornices are the greatest concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Some new snow (~10CM) and increasing wind from the S-SW will likely produce wind slabs in the alpine by Monday morning.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 17th, 2023 4:00PM