Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2019 4:09PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Natural avalanche activity is possible when the sun shines, initiating loose wet avalanches especially on solar slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather leading into the weekend with a mix of sun and cloud and some convective precipitation. The next frontal system will hit the coast Saturday.THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures near -5 and freezing levels 1400 m. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with alpine temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 1300 m. Ridgetop winds moderate primarily from the southwest.SATURDAY: Cloudy with a trace of snow. Alpine temperatures near -1 and freezing levels 1300 m. Ridgetop winds will generally be light with strong gusts from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity reported on Wednesday. If you're out we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.The sun can really pack at punch this time of year and trigger loose wet avalanches, especially on solar aspects. North facing alpine slopes may have the best snow quality, however reactive wind slabs remain possible to trigger.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of storm snow from last weekend now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of a 4 cm crust, surface hoar and facets. The recent snow has transitioned into a hard surface on most aspects and elevations with the exception of high alpine North aspects. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed shallow wind slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering especially where it sits above the April 4th interface.North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Up to 20 cm of storm snow sits on a widespread crust. Moderate southerly winds have likely formed fresh slabs in high elevation north facing features. Human triggering is most likely in the immediate lee of the ridgecrest.

Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Aspects: North, North East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Some filtered sunshine may initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle in the new snow. The likelihood of loose avalanches increases as temperatures warm through the day and/or if the sun comes out for a period of time.

Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2019 2:00PM