Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 16th, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada stephen holeczi, Avalanche Canada

Freezing levels to 2500m are possible Friday. Start early and watch for rapid warming. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels to 2500m by Friday afternoon and the possibility of some light flurries. Winds will me moderate from the West.

Snowpack Summary

The recent 30-50cm of storm snow has been blown into wind slabs up to 60cm thick in the alpine by previous strong winds. These overly a variety of harder surfaces. Cornices failures are a major concern. Overall there is a well settled snowpack in this region.

Avalanche Summary

Less natural activity was noted today as winds kept things generally cool. Many cornice collapses have been noted in the past few days.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs exist in many open areas in the alpine. These will be less sensitive to triggering by the weekend due to cooler temperatures, but watch the bond between the wind slabs and the harder surfaces below on Friday.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Many cornice collapses over the last week will continue with higher freezing levels. Further East these have triggered basal facets in isolated events.

  • Stay well back from cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

We may see an increase in avalanche activity if the sun stays out for an extended period of time, along with higher freezing levels.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 17th, 2015 4:00PM