Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2018 4:05PM

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

jsmith, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Inland.

Small wind slabs may have formed on lee features below ridgetops.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries; accumulation 3-5 cm. Moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1100 m. SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -3. Freezing level 1500 m. MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +2. Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in this region. Avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, please post your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of new snow may have formed small wind slabs below ridgetops.Weak layers buried around March 19th are roughly 40 cm below the surface (up to 100 cm in deeper snowpack areas). These weak layers include surface hoar on shaded aspects at high elevations and hard crusts on solar aspects and below treeline.Sugary facets may be found near the base of the snowpack in shallow, rocky snowpack areas on shady aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

5 cm of new snow may have formed small wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2018 2:00PM