Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 26th, 2019 3:40PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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Last avalanche forecast for the season. For additional information check out our Spring Conditions page at:  https://goo.gl/cpx8Dq

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday Night: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate south winds shifting southwest. Alpine high temperatures around -4 with freezing levels to 500 metres.

Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures around -1 with freezing levels to 1400 metres.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light northwest wind. Alpine high temperatures around 0 with freezing levels to 1500 metres.

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. Alpine high temperatures around 2 with freezing levels to 1700 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of new snow has fallen in the alpine over the past week. Moderate southwest winds are expected to have formed reactive wind slabs with much of this recent snow. The new snow sits on an older layer of settled storm snow from last week, which itself overlies a now 40-60 cm-deep melt freeze crust. This crust is widespread with the possible exception of high elevation north aspects. Most of the recent precipitation has fallen as rain at 1000 m and below.

At lower elevations, ongoing warm weather has been melting the snowpack away.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snowfalls coupled with bouts of strong southwest wind have likely developed new wind slabs at higher elevations. Expect snow amounts and the effects of wind loading to increase as you gain elevation.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

The likelihood of loose wet avalanches will depend on the extent of overnight crust recovery and the pace at which it warms up through the day.

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 27th, 2019 2:00PM