Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada LP, Avalanche Canada

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The hazard rating is for the highest danger for the day.

The deterioration could happen fast with the forecasted warmer temps, sunny skies, and light winds.

Start very early and finish early.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, numerous dry and wet loose natural avalanches to size 1.5 were observed on all aspects. No new wind slab avalanches were reported.

On Thursday, a size 2 skier accidental on a North aspect adjacent to the ski hill failed as a wind slab on a crust at the storm snow interface.

Also on Thursday, a size 3 deep persistent slab on a north aspect was reported just to the west of BNP.

Snowpack Summary

A new surface crust caps last week's storm snow which settled to 20-40 cm. The recent snow overlays older crusts on all aspects except north (above 2400m) where it overlays dry snow.

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain features in the snowpack . These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.

Weather Summary

A warming trend for Fri-Sun.

Fri night: Freezing level down to valley bottom (1400 m), alpine low -4 °C with clear periods.

Sat: Alpine high 4 °C, mostly light ridge wind SE 10- 35 km/h, freezing level to 2500 m.

Sat night: Less of a freeze with an 1800 m freezing level.

Sun: Alpine highs of 8 °C with freezing levels reaching 2900 m.

Sun/Mon: A pulse of rain and snow is expected.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Loose wet and dry avalanche activity will likely increase with solar input and/or daytime warming.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Recent load with warming may be enough to reawaken this layer. Cornice failures will also be more likely and may trigger the deeper layers.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: May 4th, 2024 4:00PM

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