Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Gusty ridge top winds have been observed, and loose surface snow has likely been redistributed into small wind slabs in high elevation terrain.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapSouth Rockies
Apr 2 – 3, 2015Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 12 years ago
Avalanche danger
Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Warmth remains the primary driver of avalanche hazard as we shift into a more spring like pattern. Minimize your exposure to large slopes if the snowpack is becoming moist or wet.
Avalanche problems
Cornices
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–4
Large cornices hang precariously over many ridge-lines. While cornice failure is problematic enough on its own, don't discount the ability for falling cornices to release bigger slab avalanches.
Confidence
Fair - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Expect a mix of sun and cloud on Friday. On Saturday, a pacific front will move inland although only trace amounts of new snow are expected. By Sunday, a short-lived ridge should bring mainly clear skies. Ridgetop winds should be light from the southwest, becoming moderate with Saturday's pulse. Daytime freezing levels should hover around 1500m.
Avalanche Summary
We have had no recent reports of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Observations have been extremely limited, although I expect light amounts of low-density snow overlie a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust,. Gusty winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event.