Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 2014 8:00AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Start early. Start early. Start early. Avoid the warmer times of the day when the surface crusts have softened.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Rogers Pass will see a mix of sun and cloud with the occasional flurry today. Freezing levels may rise to 1600m, but it will remain cool in the alpine and tree-line elevations. Winds will be light to moderate from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

A good freeze has left the surface snow crusty at lower elevations, although some dry snow may be found on due north aspects above 2400m. Extreme winds may have blown this into slabs in exposed lee areas. The mid to lower snowpack is very well settled. If the sun pops through, expect a rapid deterioration of low elevation surface crusts.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday, several natural avalanches from size 1.5-2.5 were noted from solar aspects. These occurred mainly in the afternoon at the warmest time of day. A notable size 3.5 occurred at the peak of the warmth 36 hours ago on a SW aspect, showing that the persistent weak layers are still active once the snowpack warms up enough.

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
There may be lingering surface slabs at alpine and tree-line elevations, due to the strong winds accompanying the last snowfall.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
If the sun comes out for prolonged periods today, we will likely see a rapid deterioration of the surface crusts. Start early if you are exposed to solar aspects, especially at lower elevations.
Avoid slopes with glide cracks.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
The large size 3.5 from Moccasin Flats 36 hours ago shows the persistent slabs have not gone away. Larger triggers, like cornices or surface avalanches, may step down to deeper layers.
If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2014 8:00AM