Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Apr 6 – 7, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    New snow combined with wind has created windslabs in the lee of terrain features.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–5
    New snow and wind have made large cornices even bigger.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    With little re-freeze overnight below 1500m and continued rain, conditions can change rapidly at lower elevations. Avalanche activity, snowballing, moist and wet snow are initial indicators of deterioration and increased hazard.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A much drier pattern is in place through Tuesday afternoon.Sunday: Freezing Level: 2000m Precip: No significant precip expected. Wind: Light, South.Monday: Freezing Level: 1600m Precip: 1/3mm – 2/6cm Wind: Light, West.Tuesday: Freezing Level: 1800m Precip: 5/10mm – 5/20cm Wind: Light, South

Avalanche Summary

Wet snow avalanches to size 2 ran naturally and were triggered by riders on Friday.  Many of these avalanches started small but grew to size 2 as they moved down the slope. Solar aspects have recently been very active showing lots of natural loose wet avalanches and cornice releases up to size 2.5 when the sun has been shining. Expect glide cracks to continue releasing with warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations 20-30cm of new snow is covering a crust or moist snow. In some places in the alpine and at treeline this new snow may have buried a recently formed layer of surface hoar or facets. At lower elevations (below 2000m) rain has made the snow surface wet or moist down 50-100cm. New snow combined with wind will have made large cornices even bigger.

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