Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2017 5:18PM

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

Avalanche Canada snow safety, Avalanche Canada

Hazard is rated Low in the morning below tree-line. It will rise to Considerable in the afternoon (especially on sun exposed slopes) as the day warms up.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud for Tuesday. No snow and freezing levels rising to 1700 m. Alpine temps will reach high of -5. Warming trend through end of week with freezing levels rising to 2300 m on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent storm snow  sits on a well settled mid-pack. In shallow areas (Field ice climbs) the base is weak and facetted. Shears persist on this facet interface. In deeper areas (Little Yoho Valley), the deep weak layers are less of a concern. Expect buried sun crust on solar aspects, and a melt freeze crust BTL,

Avalanche Summary

Several cornice triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported on the Wapta today.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The snowpack is stabilizing after the last avalanche cycle, and now we are left with a low probability, high consequence problem. Natural avalanches have mostly ceased, but triggering is still possible - especially from large loads like cornices.

  • Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Pay attention to day time warming. Sunny skies and warm temperatures are increasing the avalanche hazard on sun exposed slopes in the afternoon.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices are big and we are getting regular reports of cornices failing. A large cornice fall could trigger a bigger avalanche on the slope below.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2017 4:00PM