Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 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, Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada catherine brown, Parks Canada

Natural avalanches will be triggered by daytime heating and solar radiation today. Plan your route to avoid terrain facing the sun especially in the afternoon.

Summary

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Loose avalanches will start this afternoon in steep terrain facing the sun. Use extra caution below hot stops like rock outcrops and trees. Moist surface snow is a major clue the snowpack is weakening. Deeper weak layers could also be triggered.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
60 to 70 cm of recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab above a late March crust. Failures within the slab have been observed recently. Sudden planar results are still being observed on this crust.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
The Feb 8 surface hoar is still worth keeping in mind. No recent failures have been observed on this layer. Cornice fall or an avalanche in the storm snow layers may step down to this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2012 8:00AM