Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2014 8:13AM

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

jon schleiss, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Wind and new snow have combined to begin a naturally triggered avalanche cycle this morning. Keep your eyes open for avalanche activity.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries for today and tonight and 4cm of snow on Saturday. Winds are forecast to be moderate from the SW gusting to High. Alpine temperatures

Snowpack Summary

Below the new snow a there is a temperature crust on solar aspects, the Mar 22 Cr is down 30-50cm.On north aspects the upper snowpack consists of settling storm snow down to about 1600m below which there is a crust. Where the wind has been at the new snow near ridge lines and in the Alpine, soft slabs have have been observed.

Avalanche Summary

There was very little activity observed yesterday, due to cooler temps and cloud cover hanging overhead for most of the day. Avalanches have been observed this morning up to size 2.5 from steep North aspects running to 1/4 of the runnout fans.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Soft slabs were observed in the Alpine by a field team yesterday in the Asulkan drainage, and rising winds this morning will likely create more. Avalanche activity this morning is attributed to this problem.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

If the sun comes out or if there is a rapid un-forecast rise in temperature watch out for loose wet avalanches.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Be aware that small avalanches have the ability to trigger larger step down avalanches.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2014 8:00AM