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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 7th, 2016–Apr 8th, 2016
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

The snowpack is very weak due to continued warm temps. Over the next few days strong sun and very warm temperatures will cause danger to rise quickly. It sure feels like summer; maybe it's time to consider pulling out your bike or rock shoes?

Weather Forecast

Today and Friday are forecast to be sunny and very warm! Freezing levels are expected to rise as high as 3500m, with alpine temps in the shade reaching 10'C. Add the sun to that and it will feel tropical. Temps are expected to stay above freezing overnight, so even an early start won't help on Friday. By Sat we should get an overnight recovery.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and above a ~30cm storm slab overlies a 3 cm thick crust. Below the crust the upper ~70cm of snow is warm, moist and weak. Sustained S'ly winds at ridgetop will have built deeper, more cohesive slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. At 1300m the surface crust that formed overnight is only 3cm thick with a very weak overnight recovery.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday a skier triggered a size 2.5 on the headwall of Youngs Peak; a W aspect at ~2675m. The avalanche was 20-80cm deep and ran 150m. Luckily the skier was not buried. In addition a few loose wet natural avalanches, mostly size 2 but one size 3, were observed running into valley bottoms.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

The snowpack is generally warm and weak; we have yet to undergo a true melt-freeze cycle due to ongoing warm overnight temps. Strong solar and very warm temps are forecast and loose wet avalanches are expected.
Avoid exposure to solar aspects overhead, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Storm Slabs

A ~30cm deep storm slab has developed and sits on a crust. Sustained winds will have built deeper pockets on lee slopes and in cross-loaded areas. These are likely to exist in areas where skiers/boarders are searching for skiable snow.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Huge cornices along ridges will be weakened by the strong sun today and continued above freezing temps. A chunk of cornice tumbling down-slope is a concern in itself, but cornices failures also provide a heavy trigger and may trigger large avalanches
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3