Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada ahanna, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Avalanche activity is anticipated to be small and in isolated areas or extreme terrain. On Tuesday, this includes small pockets of wind slab in immediate lees of ridgecrests and moistening snow on steep solar aspects during periods of strong sun.

Spring is a dynamic time of year where conditions can vary widely and change rapidly. Carefully assess your local conditions and pay attention to how the weather is affecting the snowpack throughout the day.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, storm slabs and loose dry avalanches were reported size 1-2, mostly artificially triggered by skiers and explosives. By Monday, avalanche activity had largely tapered to small solar-triggered point releases out of steep terrain, with one small (size 1) skier-triggered wind slab.

Snowpack Summary

A moist or crusty surface has likely formed on southerly aspects and below 1000 m. 15 to 30 cm of recent snow has seen modest wind effect, with wind loading mostly isolated to immediate lees of ridgetop. Recent snow appears to be bonding well to underlying surfaces including melt-freeze crusts.

The middle of the snowpack is strong and bonded. At the bottom of the snowpack, a layer of weak facets remains present and continues to be monitored for signs of reactivity.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Partly cloudy. Light variable wind. Alpine low -10 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, clouding over in the afternoon. Light southwest wind. Alpine high -1 °C. Freezing level rises to 1400 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. Light southwest wind building to moderate. Alpine high -3 °C. Freezing level rises to 1200 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine high -3 °C. Freezing level rises to 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
  • Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely on steep solar aspects as the surface becomes moist or wet with strong sun.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snow has seen mild wind effect. Wind slabs have been soft and specific to immediate lees of ridge crests. They may remain triggerable by riders on Tuesday.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2023 4:00PM