Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 2024 3:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada JMackenzie, Avalanche Canada

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Recent new snow has given a nice reset to the region. Be aware of sluffing and newly formed wind slabs, especially at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Two naturally triggered loose dry avalanches up to size 2.0 were observed in extreme Alpine terrain on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow totals are highly variable depending on drainage and elevation. On average 5cm of new snow fell overnight bringing recent storm snow totals to 30cm at Treeline. This fresh snow overlies a moist crust and is bonding well except at higher elevations. Wind slabs are evident at 2400m and above, and could be sensitive to human triggering. The deeper persistent weak layers are still a concern where the snowpack is thin or when the crusts break down with direct solar radiation and/or daytime heating.

Weather Summary

Thursday may start off at -18C!!!! Then it should be mainly sunny with cloudy periods in the afternoon. Temperatures will climb to -4C with light to moderate northerly winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be cautious of sluffing.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

New storm snow sluffing easily on buried frozen layers at upper elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs are possible on all aspects due to recently variable winds. Check the new snow bond with the underlying crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Still a problem on the polar aspects in alpine areas.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2024 3:00PM

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