Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 13th, 2016–Apr 14th, 2016

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold

Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Glacier.

Spring skiing is here. Early starts and early finishes are crucial to playing safe! Although supportive in the morning, the upper snowpack is moist and will breakdown quickly with daytime warming.

Weather Forecast

Today sunny with cloudy periods, no precipitation, freeze line rising to 1900m. Tonight clear periods, no precipitation, freeze line falling to 1400m. Mainly cloudy on thursday with no precipitation, and FL rising to 2100m. It will be getting sunny and warmer on the weekend and will be severe clear and hot next week.Â

Snowpack Summary

Up to 3cm of new snow has fallen on a crust that formed early yesterday evening. This crust is expected to break down during the day today. As the crust breaks down and melts avalanche hazard will increase.

Avalanche Summary

We have been experiencing regular natural avalanche cycles in the afternoon with daytime warming and the strong effects of the sun. Avalanches have been in the sz 1.5 - 2.5 range and either loose wet or wet slab releases. Sporadic glide crack releases to sz 3 have been recorded recently. No new avalanches have been recorded in the last 24 hours.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

It doesn't take long for the strong solar & warm temps to break down the weak surface crust. Loose wet avalanches are expected. Be especially careful on S aspects & in terrain traps below treeline where even small slides could bury or push you around

Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wet Slabs

Strong solar input and daytime warming have created a wet slab problem. These slabs can be triggered from loose point releases or they can fail seemingly unprompted in the form of a large glide release. Avoid overhead exposure to glide cracks!

Watch for glide cracks.Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Cornices

Cornices along ridges will be weakened by the sun & warm temps. Serac fall from glaciers has also been observed recently. Pieces of cornice or ice crashing down are concerns in their own right but these can trigger larger avalanches once on the slope

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3