Avalanche Forecast
Issued: May 6th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.
MM,
Avalanche Canada
Avalanche danger may be variable and can easily range from low to high throughout the day. In general, reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain during periods of solar radiation, daytime warming, or rain.
For more information on the spring hazard, click here.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday several large wet loose avalanches were observed in the highway corridor.
This is capping off a very active week of spring avalanche activity - there was a widespread cycle of natural and controlled, wet loose and deep slab avalanches with numerous sz 3, and isolated sz 4's. Many avalanche paths failed down to ground once the avalanches were in motion.
Snowpack Summary
Rain & warm temps have penetrated the snowpack creating a moist, isothermal snowpack on all aspects into the alpine. Buried crusts in the upper 50 cm are breaking down. Shallow snowpack features have loose, weak snow to ground.
20-40cm above the ground the Nov 17 basal weakness can still be found in many areas.
Weather Summary
Warm and dry weather has come to an end as a trough of low pressure brings light precip and dropping freezing levels (FZL).
Tonight: Isolated flurries, Alpine Low 0°C, FZL 2000m, Moderate W ridgetop wind.
Sun: Isolated flurries, High 1°C, FZL 2200m, light W winds.
Mon: Wet flurries (6cm), Low -1°C, High 3°C. FZL 2400m.
Tues: Cloudy with sunny periods, Low 0°C, High 8°C, FZL 2700m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.
- Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Loose Wet
With intense solar radiation and a poor crust recovery, the snowpack is moist and weak. Wet loose avalanches could be triggered in steep terrain & we have observed those avalanches stepping down to the basal weakness at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A week of hot weather has destabilized the snowpack. This early season basal weakness has woken up below 2000m and is producing very destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: May 7th, 2023 4:00PM
