Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 17th, 2012 10:42AM
The alpine rating is Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Cornices.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Fair - Due to limited field observations for the entire period
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Light precipitation throughout the day. Moderate southwesterly winds and 1100m freezing level. THURSDAY: Little to no precipitation throughout the day. Moderate to heavy precipitation starting in the afternoon combined with moderate southerly winds. Freezing level 1200-1500m. FRIDAY: Light to moderate precipitation throughout the day. Freezing levels 1200m.
Avalanche Summary
Spring conditions exist in the region. Exposure to the sun, warm temperatures, and periods of rain are the most likely factors to influence the avalanche danger. If the temperatures go below freezing overnight, strong crusts should develop that are likely to hold the snowpack together. If the sun shines for a few hours, the crusts may break down quickly and moist surface snow avalanches may start running naturally. Continued warming from more sun, rain, or no overnight freeze, may cause surface avalanches to step down and trigger deeper wet slab avalanches. Prolonged warming may cause very deep releases on weak layers that were deposited early in the season, or on depth hoar that developed during the winter. It is important to monitor the temperature and the freezing levels as they may change rapidly from day to day.
Snowpack Summary
As we transition into spring the surface layers have a great deal of influence on the snowpack. When there is a solid re-frozen surface crust, travel is fast and easy, and the snowpack is held together by the surface cap. Any deeper persistent weak layers are unlikely to fail until the surface cap breaks down from daytime heating. When there is no crust, any deeper weak layers may fail depending on the amount of heat and the triggering force that is applied. If it cools off and snows, new snow and windslabs may not bond well to the hard spring crusts.
Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 18th, 2012 9:00AM