Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 26th, 2015 8:09AM

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

ali haeri, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Rising freezing levels will be the trend for the next two days. Minimize your exposure on large slopes by the late morning on sun effected slopes. Cornice hazard will also increase, give them a wide berth on ridgetops and avoid the overhead exposure.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The Interior is under the influence of a high pressure ridge keeping skies mainly sunny today over our region. Freezing levels expected to reach 2250m today and rising to ~2700m tomorrow. A weak disturbance may make it here on Tuesday delivering light precipitation and cooling temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

Overnight cold temperatures left a 15cm crust at 1310m. At treeline and above 5- 0cm of recent snow overlies a crust on all aspects. The April 10 layer, observed to be breaking down as a wet layer is down 30-60cm. The snowpack is moist on all aspects and below the surface crust. Dry snow can only be found on north aspects above ~2100m.

Avalanche Summary

No observed activity yesterday.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Good overnight crust recovery at lower elevations. This crust is not quite as strong between 1700m-2000m and is more likely to break down in that elevation band first. Pay attention to details like these throughout the day.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Crusts on solar aspects, and surface hoar on shaded slopes, buried down 30-60cm are still a concern. Daytime warming, loose avalanches and skiers can trigger this layer. Cooler temps have slowed natural activity in the past few days.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 27th, 2015 8:00AM