Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2019 4:00PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

South Rockies.

With a mix of weather in the forecast, keep an eye out for changing conditions. Prolonged periods of sunshine, and rising temperatures will increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches on sun-exposed slopes, especially in areas with fresh snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / winds north, 10-25 km/h / alpine low temperature near -5 / freezing level valley bottomTUESDAY - Mix of sun and cloud / light southeast winds / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 1900 mWEDNESDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation / light southwest winds, gusting to 40 km/h / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 2000 m THURSDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm accumulation / light west winds, gusting to 55 km/h / alpine high temperature near +1 / freezing level 2000 m

Avalanche Summary

If the sun comes out for prolonged periods of time, the chances of loose avalanches will increase, especially in areas with fresh snow.On Friday, there were reports of a few loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 out of steep, sun-exposed terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 cm new snow overlies a thick crust on most aspects and elevations and is rapidly settling with warm temperatures. On north facing terrain in the alpine, the underlying snow remains dry. The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out.Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, 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.

Problems

Loose Wet

15 cm new snow accumulated over a crust on Monday and is rapidly settling with warm temperatures. Sunshine and air temperatures above 0 C can rapidly increase the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches, 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 - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2019 2:00PM