Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 16th, 2019 3:42PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Isolated wind slabs may be found up high. Continue to assess the surface snow and expect loose wet activity if the snow is moist or wet.
Summary
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, moderate west wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1700 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, moderate to strong west wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 1900 m.
THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level 2400 m.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with rain, accumulation 10 mm, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature 1 C, freezing level 2500 m.
Avalanche Summary
A few small storm slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and explosives on Monday. They were mostly in alpine terrain, around 30 cm deep, and on west, north, and northeast aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfall amounts are variable across the region, ranging from 10 to 30 cm, with the most on the west side of the region. This snow has remained dry in northerly alpine terrain. All other aspects and elevation bands will have either wet surface snow or a melt-freeze crust due to an increasing freezing level and heat from the sun.
Weak and sugary faceted grains remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine, producing a low likelihood but high consequence scenario. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow snowpack are the most likely places to trigger this layer.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow has been redistributed by southwest wind in exposed alpine areas. The most suspect slopes are terrain features immediately adjacent to ridges.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests.
- Expect conditions to change rapidly with aspect and elevation.
- Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
The snow surface will weaken rapidly when clear skies prevail and the day heats up. This will quickly increasing the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches, particularly on sun-exposed slopes.
- Cornices become weak with daytime warming; travel early before the day heats up.
- Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.
- Avoid sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 17th, 2019 2:00PM
