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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 17th, 2023–Apr 18th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, St. Mary, Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Remain cognizant that a weak, unpredictable layer continues to lurk near the bottom of the snowpack, avoid thin, rocky start zones and shallow areas with variable snowpack depths.

Avoid steep south facing slopes when the sun comes out.

Expect variable snowpack conditions as we transition from winter to spring.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported before 4 pm on Monday.

On Friday, on the Meachen Falls & Hourglass FSR a large (size 2) wet loose avalanche ran nearly full path depositing a large debris pile on the access road. This avalanche was on a north aspect and was likely triggered during the daytime warming and solar input.

Avalanches from last week are being reported as people venture into the backcountry. Backcountry users have been reporting a widespread avalanche cycle, with numerous large (size 2) and some larger (size 3) avalanches. Mostly storm slabs in the alpine, and wet loose at treeline and below.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Dynamic spring weather has resulted in variable snow surface conditions. A wet storm earlier in the week soaked the upper snowpack. Cold overnight temperatures have turned this moist snow into a frozen crust, except in areas where dry snow covered and insulated it.

The mid snowpack is generally settled and strong, except in areas with snow depths less than 150 cm. In these lower snow areas, the mid-pack is likely weaker and more faceted.

Below treeline, expect to find moist or refrozen surfaces, and a shrinking snowpack that is isothermal during the heat of the day.

The lower snowpack includes a layer of large, weak facets and/or depth hoar crystals.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy increasing through the night. No new precipitation is forecast. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1200 m. Treeline low around -3 °C .

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. 5-10 cm of snow is expected in the alpine. Light increasing to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels hover between 1600 and 1800 m. Treeline high around -1 °C

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulations. Light west ridgetop wind. Freezing level at 1500 m. Treeline high around -1 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-5 cm accumulations. Light west ridgetop wind. Freezing level at 1700 m. Treeline high around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.