Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2017 3:55PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

We're into a daily melt-freeze cycle. Be alert to changing snow conditions as the snow warms up.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud, strong southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 2000 m after an overnight refreeze.THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with light amounts of snow/rain, strong southwest wind, freezing level up to 2300 m with little overnight refreeze.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with 2-4 cm of wet snow later in the day, moderate southwest wind, freezing around 2400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday, but small loose wet avalanches likely occurred on solar aspects. Increasing cloud cover will decrease the likelihood loose wet avalanches on Wednesday, but slab avalanches remain a concern at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist surface snow during the heat of the day. The exception is north-facing alpine terrain, where about 20 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs may exist. The bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak facets and full-depth avalanches over this basal weakness could be possible with a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive in exposed terrain at higher elevations where the snow is still dry.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, especially in the heat of the day

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2017 2:00PM