Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 19th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
swerner,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers on leeward slopes in the alpine.
Short bursts of the warm April sun can weaken the upper snowpack quickly. Avoid solar slopes if the sun is shining.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new reports on Wednesday.
Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.
Snowpack Summary
Recent southerly winds have redistributed dry snow forming isolated wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The snow sits over wind-affected surfaces or a crust on south-facing slopes.
A weak layer buried in late March is down 30-50 cm and exists as surface hoar and facets on north-facing slopes and a crust elsewhere. Test results show that this layer may be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations on north-facing slopes where the layer is well-preserved and have a cohesive overlying slab.
The middle of the snowpack is strong and contains numerous hard crusts. Near the ground, weak faceted crystals exist. There hasn't been avalanche activity on this layer recently, but it remains on our radar and may become active when we experience change, such as rapid loading (heavy snowfall or rain) or prolonged warming.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Trace of new snow. Ridgetop winds 40-50 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -5 C and freezing level valley bottom.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Ridgetop wind 30-50 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -4 C freezing level 1300 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 15-20 km/h from the southwest. Temperature at treeline around -4C with freezing level 1100 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. Ridgteop wind 30-50 Km/h from the southwest. Temperature at treeline around -4 C with freezing level near 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers on lee aspects in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Even short periods of strong solar radiation may trigger wet loose avalanches on steep, sunny slopes.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 20th, 2023 4:00PM
