Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 6th, 2024 1:45PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Dvonk,
Avalanche Canada
Windslabs in alpine terrain should be expected near cols and crests of features. Snow quality is mostly a miss right now with the warm temperatures and lack of good overnight freezes. This will improve as the clouds start to part and colder temps move in early next week
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No field teams today, A flight over the Northern part of the park showed pin wheeling from steep solar aspects in the new snow.
Snowpack Summary
20-40cm of recent snow (40cm on the eastern side of the range) is overlying a temperature crust that developed early in the week. This crust is being found up to 2300m and while supportive to skiing, its sitting on top of a generally moist snowpack. Crusts are common on the solar aspects but less so on the more polar sides. There are some isolated windslabs in alpine areas along ridgelines but this problem does not appear to be widespread. Recent snow combined with cloudy weather hasn't allowed the snowpack to get a significant refreeze that is common for spring time.
An important thing to consider at this time of year is the quality of the freeze overnight. Over the past 2 days, freezes have been generally poor with overnight lows only around -8C. Avalanche danger can change from low in the cool mornings to high in the hot afternoons. The timing of this change is important to monitor so plan you trips with these factors in mind.
Weather Summary
Sunday will bring a lot of the same. A mix of sun, cloud and warm temps. Winds will be a bit stronger out of the West. Freezing level to 2100m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for windslabs on all aspects in alpine areas. These slabs will be more reactive where they are overlying a temperature crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Facets near the base of the snowpack may be triggered from thin areas and this season there are lots of thin areas. Dont try to outsmart the snowpack and stick to conservative terrain until we get into a good spring diurnal cycle.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The Feb crust has been the main bed surface for many avalanches this winter. Slopes and features that have not slid should be treated cautiously or just avoided. Dig and look.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 7th, 2024 3:00PM
