Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2019 5:18PM

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

ldreier, Avalanche Canada

North Columbia.

As soon as the sun comes out the surface snow will moisten quickly and increase the potential of loose wet avalanches. Wind slabs in immediate alpine lee features may be reactive to human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy / light to moderate northwest wind / freezing level 1200 mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / light southwest wind / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1800 mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / light west wind / alpine high temperature -5 C / freezing level 1700 mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / light westerly wind / alpine high temperature -6 C / freezing level 1700 m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, several natural and human triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on west, north and east aspects in the alpine. A few natural and human triggered wind slabs to size 1.5 were reported from immediate lee features in the alpine. Several natural loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed on northerly aspects at treeline and in the alpine.On Sunday and Saturday, there were a few reports of natural and human triggered storm/wind slab avalanches up to size 2 at treeline and alpine elevations. There were also reports of several natural and human triggered loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 on steep solar slopes and below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 40 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. These slopes may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 60 to 80 cm. On northern aspects the new snow is not bonding as well and humans can trigger storm slab avalanches. Strong southwest winds on Monday created isolated wind slabs in lee features at treeline and in the alpine. On sun exposed slopes the new snow might release as loose wet avalanches. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect the snow surface to moisten and the potential for loose wet avalanche to increase on sun exposed slopes as soon as the sun is coming out.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Minimize overhead exposure to cornices above.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

40 cm of storm snow is slowly bonding with the dry snow on north aspects which might still hold older wind slabs. Moderate northwest wind overnight might create a new shallow wind slab in immediate lee features on southeast aspects.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2019 2:00PM