Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2017 3:52PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Watch for the sun coming out on Friday affecting steep sun exposed slopes at all elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light to moderate southwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1500mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light to moderate west southwest wind / Alpine temperature -2 / Freezing level 1500mSUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1700m

Avalanche Summary

Reports on Thursday indicate numerous skier controlled and natural loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 on all aspects up to 2000m. Additionally explosive controlled moist storm slab avalanches were reported to size 2, 20-30cm deep on north and east aspects above 2000m.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of new snow fell at upper elevations Wednesday night. Thursday during the day the precipitation fell as rain up to 2000m making the snow surface moist or wet. This adds to moist new snow from the previous weekend and all sits on a well developed crust layer that formed up to 1400m on all aspects except south where it formed up to 1700m. The snowpack is generally well settled and continues to transition into a spring melt/freeze regime. Below 1300m the snowpack may be moist or wet through its entire thickness. In the alpine cornices continue to grow large and ever more overhanging.

Problems

Cornices

Cornices will continue to grow and become more overhanging with warm temperatures and precipitation.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating.Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Storm Slabs

Moist new snow falling above 2000m is being redistributed by south and west winds.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

As the sun comes out in the coming days it will soften and destabilize the surface snow on steep slopes facing the sun.

If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2017 2:00PM