Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Apr 9 – 10, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cornices remain the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and wind on Saturday into Sunday may have created small wind slabs in lee features below alpine ridgetops.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather continues throughout the forecast period. MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Light southeasterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.TUESDAY: Scattered flurries (5-10cm). Light northerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries (2-5cm). Strong easterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new reported on Friday or Saturday.On Thursday several natural cornice releases (to Size 2.5) were reported in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of new snow (3-5cm) fell on Saturday. Winds were light to moderate (south through northeast) and may have created small wind slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. The new snow will likely be sitting on hard surfaces created by strong winds earlier in the week. Elevations below roughly 1300 m are experiencing a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack is likely isothermal. The February crust and facet layer is 70-90 cm deep in the Houston Telkwas sled area and a deep persistent faceted weak layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.

Regions covered