Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2019 4:11PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

The region could pick up a few cm of new snow Friday night, but that is expected to have little impact on avalanche hazard. Continue to minimize exposure to steep slopes as temperatures warm through the day, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The weather models are having a pretty tough time getting a handle on the current weather pattern and even the professional meteorologists are pulling out their hair. The freezing levels are thought to be fairly accurate, but the wind and precipitation values should be taken as a suggestion at best.FRIDAY NIGHT: Light to moderate southwest wind, freezing level beginning at 2000 m lowering to around 1600 m, 1 to 3 cm of snow possible at upper elevation.SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1900 m, strong to extreme southwest wind, no significant snowfall expected.SUNDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 2000 m, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 3 cm of snow possible at upper elevations.MONDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 2200 m, strong west wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible at upper elevations.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack and it looks like that trend will continue into the weekend. During the heat of the day and especially under direct sun, the snowpack has become moist or wet, on all but north-facing alpine areas where isolated dry snow persists on a cold, wind-affected snowpack.Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat (like north-alpine), human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.

Problems

Loose Wet

As temperatures rise or when the sun comes out, the chances of loose avalanches will increase, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, travel early on exposed slopes.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2019 2:00PM