Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 12th, 2017 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada aaron beardmore, Avalanche Canada

Forecasted freezing levels and precip amounts are uncertain tomorrow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light amounts of precip (~10cm) and light wind are expected over the next 48 hours. Temps will be cooler than seasonal with valley bottom being just above 0 and 3000m temps will hover around -10.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of snow has fallen in the last several days above 2000m. At lower elevations the snowpack is moist on solar aspects while the upper elevation snow remains cold. There is still some uncertainty surrounding the weaker basal facets in thin snowpack areas of the Little Yoho region with occasional sudden collapse test results in the facets.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Wednesday, but field teams were not in the Little Yoho area.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The snowpack is gaining strength however the basal facets remain a concern in thin snowpack areas and large triggers could create big avalanches on these facets. Use caution in steep terrain and avoid thin snowpack areas when possible.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.
  • Choose the deepest and strongest snowpack areas on your run.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

April is cornice failure season, and we are getting regular reports of cornices failing and triggering deep slabs. Mature cornices can break much further back than you expect, so give them a wide margin when traveling on ridges.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.
  • Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 13th, 2017 4:00PM