Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 26th, 2014 8:47AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

We are no longer issuing danger ratings for this region due to a lack of field data.Check out this video and blog post for more insight into managing the current condition.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: The weather pattern should remain cool and unsettled through the weekend. Expect periods of light to moderate precipitation mixed with sunny breaks most days. Freezing levels should climb to 1800-2000 m each day and rebound to around 1500 m overnight. Ridgetop winds are generally light to moderate from the southwest. It looks like a building ridge of high pressure could bring drier and much warmer conditions early next week.

Avalanche Summary

There are no recent reports of avalanche activity from the region. It's likely that any recent activity is a result of daytime warming, solar radiation , and/or periods of rain. We should see a return of warm sunny weather next week. When this happens expect a spike in loose wet activity, cornice releases, and sporadic deep slab avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

This is a broad general summary of conditions in the region based solely on recent weather data and previous snowpack information. It should be supplemented with local observations to help assess avalanche danger. Please refer to this document for additional snow and avalanche information and general travel advice.Over the past week we have seen light precipitation with a snow line somewhere around 1800 m (+/- 200 m). My best guess is that stubborn wind slabs exist in high north-facing terrain while warm temperatures and solar radiation may have created moist surfaces everywhere else. If there is a good overnight freeze these surfaces will form a hard crust. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 80-100+ cm) should stay on your radar, especially on all alpine slopes during sunny periods. Any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Also, give large sagging cornices a wide berth when traveling on or below corniced ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs could form in exposed lee terrain at higher elevations over the next couple days. Triggering is more likely on steep unsupported slopes near ridge crests.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Large cornices loom above many alpine slopes and will become weak with daytime warming. Give cornices a wide berth while traveling on or below ridges.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem remains unlikely but should stay on your radar, especially as we transition into  much warmer spring weather next week.
Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried persistent weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Apr 27th, 2014 2:00PM