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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 6th, 2018–Apr 7th, 2018
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

The best quality snow can be found on shaded aspects.

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace amounts of precipitation, alpine temperature of -4.0, ridge winds south 10km/hr, and freezing level rising to 1700m.  A pacific frontal system will track inland on Saturday bringing 15cm of snow to the Rogers Pass area with freezing levels reaching 1800m. Overcast conditions persist into next week.

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow found on southern aspects yesterday has refrozen in to a surface crust overnight. 15-20cm of low density powder remains on shaded aspects. Wind slabs are above treeline in lee features. 60cm of recent storm snow is settling out and appears to be bonding well on polar aspects. On solar slopes, the storm slab sits on a persistent crust.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday, strong solar input contributed to a widespread natural avalanche cycle on south facing slopes. A field team directly observed a large size 2.5 Na from the Frequent Flyer path in the Connaught Creek drainage. Several large solar triggered avalanches were also observed in the highway corridor east of Rogers Pass, up to size 3.0.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent shifting winds have created easily identifiable wind slabs above treeline. More subtle wind loaded pockets exist in lee features and can easily be triggered by skiers. Watch for these pockets around cornices, wind lips and roll overs.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.Variable winds have created pockets of wind slab on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

70-90cm of settled snow sits on the mid March crust/facet combo. This layer appears to be bonding well on polar aspects. On solar aspects, this layer fails suddenly in stability tests and has shown potential for wide propagation if triggered.
Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations which could result in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3