Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2024 4:00PM

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 wlewis, Avalanche Canada

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Take care around ridgelines where wind slabs may linger.

Minimize your exposure to sun affected slopes. Sunshine and rising temperatures will increase the potential for wet avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a rider accidentally triggered a size 1 wind slab near ridgeline on a north facing slope.

Sun and rising temperatures produced loose wet activity on many steep slopes. We expect this to continue as temperatures remain high.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of moist or wet snow exists on sun affected slopes, and shaded aspects to around 2000 m. This surface snow may not refreeze overnight leading to soft and slushy conditions, ideal for wet snow avalanches. On north facing slopes near ridgelines, deposits of dry snow can be found, affected by the previous strong southwesterly winds.

Check out this MIN from Mt Matier.

Below treeline elevations have minimal snow cover, if any at all. Expect challenging travel conditions with hazards like rocks, stumps and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10-30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level remains above 2000 m in some areas.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures range from +7 to +2 °C. Freezing level peaks at 2500 m and then drops to 1800 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 20-40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level drops to 1500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 10-20 km/h northerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level around 1500 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.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs remain reactive on shaded, high elevation slopes where dry snow can still be found. On these slopes cornices can also be found, likely weak from strong sunshine and warm temperatures.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Avalanches are most likely on steep, sun affected slopes as temperatures remain high.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2024 4:00PM

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