Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 4th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
TT,
Avalanche Canada
As the winds have switched to easterly direction, you may encounter reverse loading.Be on the lookout for freshly formed wind slabs and avoid overhead cornice exposure.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity on the Icefields Parkway or Maligne Lake Road yesterday.
Marmot Basin reported a large explosive triggered slab avalanche scrubbing to the basal facet layer on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
5-10cm of new snow overnight on Tuesday arrived with strong to extreme SW wind building winds slabs at treeline and above. A total of 20-40cm of snow now sits over the March 19th crust which is present everywhere except North aspects above 1900m. Solar aspects have multiple crusts within the upper 30 cm. The Feb 3rd crust interface is down 30-90cm. Basal depth hoar and facets make up the bottom of the snowpack. HS ranges from 50 to 150cm.
Weather Summary
On Friday ,no significant accumulations are expected. Moderate easterly winds at ridgetop will become westerly by the afternoon hours. Freezing levels are expected to around 1900 m.
Saturday A mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Alp temp: Low -7 °C, High -1 °C. Light ridge wind. Freezing level: 2200 m.
Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs can be found in specific locations in the alpine, if triggered they could step down to the persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. Northerly aspects between 1900-2400m seem to be the problem area.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 5th, 2024 4:00PM
