Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada bchristie, Avalanche Canada

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Watch for blowing snow forming wind slabs in Alpine and open treeline terrain.

Scale back your objective if you find signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network).

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have likely formed deeper, more reactive deposits on leeward terrain in the alpine and wind exposed treeline. 20 to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a hard, frozen crust except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on old, dense, wind-affected snow.

Below 1500 m, moist surfaces will start to get crusty or covered by snow as the freezing level drops.

A layer of weak faceted snow above a hard crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is generally getting stronger, and is shielded by crusts above it. It has not produced any recent avalanches.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy, possibly clear in the northern end of the forecast area. Light to moderate rain expected, 10-20 cm of snow possible above 1500 m. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level dropping to between valley bottom and 1000 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. Light to moderate west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level around 1400 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. Light northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -3 °C.

Friday

Sunny. No new snow expected. Light northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Strong southwest wind is likely blowing snow into reactive wind slabs below ridgetops and in cross-loaded gullies. Most concerning in the alpine and wind exposed treeline terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Small, loose avalanches are possible in heavy, moist or wet snow left behind as the freezing level drops and rain switches to snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2024 4:00PM

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