Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2017 3:56PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Observations from the region have been very limited recently. If you are out in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network and help us improve the bulletin. Click here for more details.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / Light to moderate northeast wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1100mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light to moderate northwest southwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300mSUNDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light to moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300m

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. That being said there is little to no information being reported from the region recently.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 5-10cm of new snow has fallen earlier in the week. Variable light to moderate wind switching from south to east has redistributed this new snow at upper elevations. This new snow is likely sitting on a hard wind crust created by strong winds last week. Elevations below roughly 1300m are experiencing a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack is likely moist or wet throughout its entire thickness. A persistent weak layer buried late February may be found down approximately 70-100cm and a deep persistent weak layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.

Problems

Cornices

Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches on slopes belowCornices become weak with daytime heating.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with a change in the wind loading pattern may have created new wind slabs in unexpected places

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2017 2:00PM