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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 2nd, 2016–Apr 3rd, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

Some cloud cover should keep the solar input at bay, but watch locally for sun affect as the danger rating can spike dramatically and rapidly. We are close to true spring conditions, so get up early and come home early.

Weather Forecast

Sunday calls for mainly cloudy conditions Freezing levels to 2400m, light Westerly winds and some flurries.  Monday looks like a few cm of snow with freezing levels to 2300m.

Snowpack Summary

After 3 hot days, expect surface crusts on all aspects (expect high due North aspects) with moist snow underneath. Crusts will rapidly break down with daytime heating or sun exposure. Other buried crusts can be found in the upper pack on solar aspects. Only dry snow is on due north aspects at high elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Less natural activity today due to moderate winds. Yesterday, numerous deep persistent avalanches to size 3 on many aspects, and loose wet avalanches to size 2.5 on solar aspects. On Thursday, there were solar induced natural avalanches in Kootenay to size 3.5 where the sun has been out all day. Many of these were stepping to ground.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Less solar input expected Sunday, but watch around steep, rocky areas/gullies if the sun pokes out.

  • Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The snow pack remains warm after the past couple of days. There are several buried suncrusts exist in the upper snowpack and it remains possible to trigger these layers once the surface crusts break down with any prolonged heating from the sun.

  • Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Cornices

Cornices are large. Give them a wide berth on ridge crests, as they can pull back a long way when they fail and may trigger an avalanche below. If you need to travel under cornices, move quickly but think twice if there is significant heating.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3