Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2012 8:12AM

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

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

The snowpack will weaken rapidly today with forecast sunshine and warm temperatures. Expect natural avalanches on solar aspects, and expect the snowpack to become more reactive to skiers as it warms up. Avoid exposure to glide cracks and cornices.

Summary

Problems

Loose Wet

5-20cm of snow overlies isothermal and weak snow at low elevations and up to 40cm of moist snow at 1900m. Daytime warming has been triggering loose avalanches up to size 3. The snowpack will weaken rapidly with sun and warm temps into the alpine.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wet Slabs

The upper snowpack is wet and dense with a series of crusts in the top 60 cm. The crusts provide potential failure planes and bed surfaces for avalanches. Gaping glide cracks exist on many slopes, are unpredictable, and release large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Strong southerly winds in the alpine loaded storm snow onto lee slopes. Pockets of windslab now exist on variable crusts. These are likely to bond poorly and react easily to skiers. Natural avalanches may be triggered by windloading this afternoon.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2012 8:00AM