Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 22nd, 2019 4:18PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
jsmith,
Avalanche Canada
Alpine flurries and strong winds may create small wind slabs that when in motion, step-down to the recent storm snow, resulting in larger avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated alpine flurries; 1-3 mm. / Moderate to strong, southwesterly winds / Alpine low -1 C / Freezing level 2200 m.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with isolated alpine flurries; 2-5 mm / Moderate, westerly winds / Alpine high 2 C / Freezing level 2200 m.
WEDNESDAY: Sunny / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high 4 C / Freezing level 2000 m.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 6 C / Freezing level 2200 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Sunday. However, there are currently very few professional observers submitting daily observations. Please submit your observations to the MIN. Photos of avalanches or current conditions are particularly useful.
On Saturday, numerous natural loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on all aspects/elevations.
On Friday, Numerous loose wet and slab avalanches to size 2.5 on all aspects in the alpine were reported. Although not in this region, check out these two MINs from Saturday in Glacier National Park HERE. and HERE
Snowpack Summary
20-30 mm. of rain has soaked the snowpack at treeline and below. The rain/snow boundary on Friday was around 2200 m. New snow amounts in the alpine will taper rapidly with elevation and likely equate to around 15-25 cm of moist snow at upper elevations adding to the 20-40 cm recent snow which overlies a crust everywhere except high elevation, north facing terrain where preserved surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations down 30-60 cm. A similar layer buried in early April is down 50-80 cm. Smaller storm slab avalanches may step down to one of these deeper weak layers.
Below treeline, snow is disappearing rapidly.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Alpine flurries and strong winds may create small wind slabs that when in motion, ‘step-down’ to the recent storm snow, resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation/aspect.
- Use small slopes without consequence to test the bond of the recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
If temperatures remain warm, loose wet avalanches are still possible on cloudy days due to the ‘green-house’ effect.
- Avoid terrain traps such as cliffs and gullies that increase the consequence of small avalanches.
- A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2019 2:00PM
