Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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Large persistent slab avalanches may remain possible to human trigger in the alpine.

Avoid steep or convex slopes where triggering slabs is more likely.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region on Friday. However, field observations are currently very limited in this region.

Please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A mix of wind affected and soft snow can be found in the alpine. Sunny aspects have a crust on the surface that may soften with daytime heating.

Numerous large persistent slab avalanches were reported last week on a weak layer of surface hoar down 30 to 70 cm.

Cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Sunday

Moslty sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Avoid steep convex slopes.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Cornice failures could trigger very large and destructive avalanches.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Weak layers of facets and/or surface hoar are buried 30 to 70 cm deep. They are most prominent on alpine features sheltered from the wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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